Here's to good health | Bangkok Post: opinion

THINKBOX

Time flies. We are already in the midst of sweet December. Shops and places beautifully decked out with red and green ornaments signal festive holidays are quickly approaching. And shopping at a supermarket now becomes an adventure. A stunning array of attractively packaged goodies is ready to buy and eat. Everywhere I go, there is somebody talking about a family reunion feast, a company party or a cosy New Year's Eve party with friends.

The holiday season means dinners, parties and festivities associated with a pile of sumptuous (yet unhealthy) foods and cool drinks waiting around every corner. A chocolate cake spread with caramel frosting beckons and the scent of freshly baked biscuits fills the air and gives us a desire to savour them. They are truly irresistible. It's understandable that we tend to forget about our health and diet and fall into bad habits of overindulgence. And it's easy to overindulge in Thailand where people are spoiled for choice.

Last year my friend and I lost control and overdid it and came down with ailments. My friend said that it's OK to fill our plates to overflowing with food and never be worried about weight and health when going to a party. She dismissed it with the excuse that festive holidays only happen once a year. We could compensate the overeating with compulsive exercise afterwards.