Overview
- Research on nearly 3,000 people finds average holiday weight gains of about 0.5 kg in Americans and 0.8 kg in Germans, with similar peaks around other national festivities.
- Studies report higher blood pressure and cholesterol in December and January, raising short-term cardiovascular risk; Australia sees no similar spike during its summer holidays.
- Experts cite richer foods, reduced movement, colder weather and festive stress as contributing factors to seasonal health changes.
- Calorie density often comes from sauces, added sugars and saturated fats, with examples like butter-basted roasts and sweet cranberry sauce turning lean meats into heavier meals.
- Dietitians advise planning what to eat, savoring smaller portions, opting for lighter ingredients, avoiding meal skipping and resuming usual routines afterward.