If you’ve managed to align the planets in order to have a well-deserved night out, you might not just be worried about how the babysitter will cope.
Many mums worry that when they get out and about at a bar or restaurant, their healthy eating plan will go out the window.
But this doesn’t have to be the case. Follow our tips to ensure you have a great night without undoing all of your hard work to lose pregnancy weight.
1. Eating is not cheating
It’s a great idea to have something to eat before you head out. It might just be a small snack if you are dining out, such as some Greek yoghurt with strawberries and LSA.
If you aren’t eating out, be sure to have a decent dinner to keep you full (thus avoiding the 11pm call of the burger shop). Going out on an empty stomach can see you making poor choices as you are hungry and want something fast (hello, potato wedges).
2. Keep sipping on water
Once you do get out, be sure to order a water with every alcoholic drink you consume. This is a great habit to get into so that you don’t drink your wine too fast (when you are actually thirsty), and it will help to keep you hydrated for the evening.
When it comes to deciding what you will drink, keep in mind that some cocktails and mixers (like Coke) are very high in sugar, and so it may be best to limit these or leave them out altogether. Mixers like soda and fresh lime are great as they are sugar-free and have no calories. More on which are the better choices here.
3. Set yourself a limit
If you know you’ll be having a few drinks, why not decide beforehand how many you’re comfortable with having. Knowing that you have to get up the next morning and be a parent is a great way to judge how many suits you personally.
4. Scour the menu at home
Whether you’re going to a bar that does pizza or tapas, or a restaurant for a meal with friends, most places have their menu available online.
Have a quick look before you go and decide in advance what the healthier choices will be, so that you don’t get caught up in the moment and order a blow-out meal that you might regret later.
5. Get enough sleep
When you are out having fun socialising, it’s easy to lose track of the time. But one of the worst parts of a hangover is actually being tired, so be sure to give yourself a mental curfew.
Feeling like a zombie the next day is bad for your healthy eating plan too, as you could gravitate towards high fat processed foods to help prop you up.
Put a bottle of water by your bed before you go out so that you have it there when you need it in the middle of the night. And pray that the kids sleep through the night!
If you do happen to go a bit wild and have too much to eat and drink, don’t use this as an excuse to throw in the towel. There are ways to bounce back that don’t involve diving headfirst into a bucket of fried chicken – read more here.
Hayley Campbell Lost 15 kgs* with the 28 Day Challenges.
