For many, the holiday season in December brings more indulgent eating, drinking, and snacking. It's no surprise that half of the Netherlands dials up damage control in January. But does letting loose guarantee a few extra kilos?
Here's reassuring news: A bit of extra holiday eating won't sabotage your health. What truly matters is your consistent diet throughout the year. If you maintain balanced habits year-round, you're less likely to overdo it at the Christmas buffet.
Nutritionist and lifestyle coach Meijke van Herwijnen explains: 'If you're overly restrictive with every bite year-round, holidays can trigger loss of control. A sustainable healthy diet—with occasional treats—prevents this far better than constant deprivation.'
Why the scale tips higher post-Christmas? Extra weight after a lavish dinner with drinks isn't all fat. It's mostly fluid retention from salt, plus undigested food in your system. Resume your normal healthy eating, and those 'kilos' vanish in one or two days.
How much overeating equals a kilo of fat?
One indulgent night won't pack on pounds. Gaining 1 kg of body fat requires 7,000 excess kilocalories—tough in a single day. But 500 extra kcal daily over two holiday weeks could add 1 kg of fat, showing as 1.5-2 kg on the scale due to fluid.
Holiday gains linger longer than one-off feasts. Burning 1 kg of fat demands a 7,000 kcal deficit—not fixed by short-term rationing.
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