Just as we are fond of counting the days before Christmas, we are also delighted with fully-packed gatherings in our December calendar. The holidays are definitely associated with festive celebrations, limitless parties, and all sorts of get-together events, may it be with families, friends, classmates, or colleagues.

Whether it be a month-long celebration or more, gaining a few pounds may just be inevitably around the corner.

Here are some tips to stay fit and healthy this season:

1. Enjoy various fruits.

Fresh fruits are complex carbohydrates and good sources of nutrients. Try replacing your fruit salad and sweets with a fresh fruit platter. Make healthy fruit dips. It lowers your cholesterol and helps prevent constipation.

2. Shop as exercise.

Wear comfortable sporty strolling outfits.

Christmas time is when a lot of venues have sales.

Set your mind to complete 10,000 steps. Plot your indoor and outdoor exercises in between your scheduled parties. Do not delay burning your calories.

3. Create a fruity charcuterie platter.

Garnish your festive table with colorful appetizing choices of fresh fruits. Fill up your platter with more berries, kiwi, apples, sliced citrus, plums, grapes, and turnips. These are good sources of antioxidants and flavonoids. It rejuvenates our skin and boosts our immune system.

4. DIY-healthy smoothies for weight loss.

Blend low-calorie fruits and veggies to your favorite proteins from the tree nuts family. Spice it up with the taste of the Christmas Season, such as vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, cloves, cardamom, ginger, fennel seeds, saffron, star anise, and coriander.

5.Increase your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate).

Keep a calendar of your weekly daily 30-minute to one-hour physical activity. This may include brisk walking, biking, dancing, and even cleaning your kitchen and helping with the household chores. Take a leisurely plain walk with your loved ones.

Enjoy reunions with family and friends. It is the time to catch up and share the experiences of the past year. Good health in December brings fruitful beginnings for the New Year.

Happy holidays to all!

Athena Trifonia Rueda-Tiglao is a registered nutritionist-dietitian. She is a culinary nutritionist and associate professor in the School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management (SHRIM) of the De La Salle- College of Saint Benilde Manila (DLS-CSB).

Awarded as The Most Engaged Associate-Volunteer in CSB- Center for Social Action as Community Service Program-Adviser. She likewise served as a board member of the Philippine Society of Nutritionists-Dietitians.