Toronto Oktoberfest – How a Registered Dietician Can Help You Beat the Temptation

It is that time of year again – bring on the beer and bratwurst! Toronto Oktoberfest begins next weekend, October 3-4, and enthusiastic revellers in their lederhosen will be out in droves enjoying the festivities. But wait – all that merriment and all of those munchies can wreak havoc on your midsection! Instead, take these tips from a registered dietician to the bank and help beat the temptation.

Tip #1: Eat breakfast – and lunch if you are not going until later. We honestly can’t stress this enough. Thinking that a missed meal will help you feel less guilty because of the extra calories isn’t a great way to start things off. Instead, all that this approach is likely to do is encourage you to eat more. It is kind of like going grocery shopping on an empty stomach – if your tummy isn’t telling you off before you even get to Oktoberfest, you are less likely to indulge over the course of your time there. Stock up on a low fat, high protein meal before you go and you won’t feel so inclined to try absolutely everything this event has to offer.

Tip #2: On that note, no matter what, don’t try absolutely everything this event has to offer. We know, it can be tempting to want to taste test all of the best Bavarian fare placed in front of you – but try and hold yourself back. Peruse the offerings and then choose the one or two items that really strike your fancy. Also, maybe this is a ‘cheat day’ but it is always smart to keep those healthy eating habits in mind. When in doubt, always try and pick the healthier option – we are sure that no matter what you choose, it will all be delicious!

Tip #3: Of course we are saving the best for last (or perhaps in this case it is the worst) – limit your alcohol consumption. What! We know – it is Oktoberfest, but booze is really just empty calories and a wicked kick in the butt the next morning, so like with food choices, pick a few top contenders and sample away.

In the end, we all know that eating healthy is super important, but we also know that it can be super difficult. If you find yourself struggling to eat healthy, even on a semi-regular basis, maybe it is time to get some support. Even just having a registered dietician plan out your weekly meals, taking into consideration your likes and dislikes, can make a huge difference.

For more on healthy eating, both during and after Oktoberfest, or to talk with our registered dietician, Stefanie Senior, please visit www.aesmphysiotherapytoronto.ca.