One of Toronto’s most popular summer events is the Toronto
Rib Fest Food and Music Festival. An annual tradition where families can enjoy
a wide range of ribs, other amazing food and music, The Toronto Rib Fest Food
and Music Festival raises awareness of food nutrition while supporting efforts
to eradicate child hunger. The event is free, but participants are encouraged
to make a $2 donation to the cause. This year’s Toronto Rib Fest will take
place from Friday June 29th 2012 – Sunday July 2, 2012 at Centennial Park in
Mississauga. There is no doubt that the Toronto Rib Fest Food and Musical
Festival will continue being a crowd pleaser
While at the event, food vendors may tempt you to indulge in
all the delicious food at your fingertips (and how difficult to resist, it all
smells and looks wonderful!!) But it is important to be mindful of your food
choices. Too much fun this summer could cause heartache on the scales soon
after, and we all know how much easier it is to pack pounds on than to shed
them.
According to Statistics Canada, more than 50% of Canadians
are either overweight or obese. You don’t have to be considered “obese” for
extra weight to pose a hazard to your physical health. Believe it or not, many
of the illnesses and conditions that we experience as we age are the result of
carrying too much weight, the extra-stress for which places stress on bones and
joints, leading to arthritis and a host of other issues.
The key to taking in the Toronto Rib Fest Food and Musical
Festival without overdoing it is a tried and true dose of good old moderation.
Tempting as it is, you don’t have to pack your belly full of all the tasty
delights available. Don’t stuff your stomach to the point where you can feel
it. Over eating stretches your stomach and leads to a greater appetite the rest
of the time. Try sampling small amounts of different foods and avoid foods that
are high in sodium (salt) and fat. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. When
approaching a vendor, ask them what the healthier options on their menu are.
Where drinks are concerned, beer is empty calories. I know, I know, “Rib Fest
without beer?!” But if you’re trying to not overdo it, then, again, moderation
is key. A beer or two balanced with a bottle of water in between would do
wonders to help you still feel satisfied and part of the fun.
Exercise – even the simple task of walking - is another
excellent way to offset the calories that easily build at the festival. Walk
around as much as possible at the event. Then when you get home consider taking
a night-time stroll around the neighbourhood.
Some more healthy eating tips when attending an event like
this include:
• Eat everything slowly and SAVOUR the flavour. This will
help satisfy your cravings and reduce the urge for seconds.
• Scan the options of all foods available before you dive in
and start packing up your plate. Identify the healthiest options, choose your
MUST-HAVES and set portion limits.
• Use small plates as well as utensils to limit the amount
of food you can fit on your plate and into your mouth!
• Fill half your plate with vegetables for a satisfying
feeling with a lower calorie-count. This
will also help prevent the temptation for gorging on calorie-dense options
later.
• Wait out your cravings! It takes 20 minutes for your brain
to register that you have eaten. If you are tempted for seconds, distract
yourself for at least 20 minutes by sipping on water, decaf tea or coffee - or
going for a walk with a friend.
We hope that you have a great time at the Toronto Rib Fest
Food and Music Festival and that following these tips encourages you to enjoy
it while not compromising your current and future health goals.
Athletic Edge Sports Medicine offers a fantastic program
that helps people improve health, lose weight and get in shape. LIVE LEAN
includes education on nutrition, fitness training, behaviour modification
techniques, professional and group support, and a personalized weight loss plan.
Many health benefit plans offer coverage for Registered Dietician services and
which LIVE LEAN is part of. For more
information about LIVE LEAN or the programs offered by Athletic Edge Sports
Medicine please call 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca
No comments:
Post a Comment