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8 Great Tips To Usher In Good Health This Lunar New Year

Welcome the Year Of The Tiger! The magic is in the air - it is unmistakable! The colour red is in – you see it everywhere - in the symbolic paper decorations and lanterns, some even gamely still array themselves in the cheery tone. Mandarin oranges have made their come back. Families make their annual trip to Chinatown to pick up the necessary items. And, the adults are busy preparing 'red packets' for the children. All of the festivities are geared to usher in peace and prosperity in abundance.

If you want to add a meaningful dimension to your annual celebrations this year, why not pay a little attention to health. After all, you have heard the ancient sayings: "The first wealth is health" and "He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything." Here are 8 great tips to usher in health.

Enjoy all food but, all in good measure
Go ahead and tuck into the traditional goodies as New Year comes around just once year. But, before you indulge, just remember two simple tips – go for a variety and keep 'treat' food portions real small as they are higher in fat, sodium and sugar. So, moderate your intake of pineapple tarts, love letters, bak kwa and soft drinks but, eat the seasonal Mandarin oranges and roasted nuts and seeds as they are healthier snack choices that you can enjoy without guilt.

Feast on fresh fruit and vegetables
Add colour, flavour and texture to reunion meals and celebrations by including a healthy dose of a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables. The traditional 'raw fish salad' is a great start to the celebrations as it is chock full of vegetables and served up with a light Asian sauce. For a creative and nourishing edge, add wedges or slices of fresh fruit to traditional recipes. Ensure that you do have two, three or more vegetable dishes to balance out the spread on the table. Offer fresh fruit after every meal for a light and refreshing dessert option.

Portion proteins
Protein rich foods – raw fish, sea bass, pomfret, abalone, chicken, lean meat, prawns and scallops – are definite 'must-haves' on the festive menus. Indulgence in these delicacies may tip your weight and blood cholesterol off the regular balance. So, eat a variety and remember to pick up lean and low fat varieties whenever you can, and keep the total portion moderate – not more than a “lady's palm size” at each meal.

Enjoy regular meals and snacks
Visiting family and feasting with friends often throws off the regular eating schedule. Getting rabidly hungry will not help you control your food portions at the next meal. And, snacking all the time will not help you keep the calorie intake down. With a little planning you can ensure that you eat regular meals and snacks and, this will go a long way to preserve your waistline.

Consider a nutrition supplement
If your eating pattern seems to be going awry for weeks and weeks, then, you may want to prop up your diet with a supplement that provides complete and balanced nutrition. It just may help you stay energised and prop up your immunity to prevent you from picking up the flu and fever bugs around you.

Work in regular exercise
Earn you right to eat a little more through the New Year by working in a little more exercise. Pick an exercise you enjoy – run, walk, swim or organise some group games. Not only will you enjoy the fun, exercise will help relieve stress and work off some of the extra calories too.

Get some rest and relaxation
After a year of hard work, take time off to just chill! You deserve the break. The break from the routine will go a long way to help you recharge. Life is more than work! Spend time with family and friends – socialising will add the special dimension to your life that makes it worth living!

Resolve to stay healthy
Each New Year is a time to take stock of life and set resolutions to do a little better. So, write the resolutions and include at least one that will help you improve your health. Here are a few for starters – get your health check, schedule in exercise, eat 2 servings of fruit and vegetables each day, get enough rest, achieve work-life balance and enjoy living. You can add a few more of your own. This year, resolve to keep your word!