Enjoy your Christmas lunch – without stuffing yourself like a turkey!
The Christmas lights are up and that can only mean one thing! The festive season is fast approaching, and social calendars are already filling up! There will no doubt be a dazzling display of festive delights, endless canapés, buffet tables and three course meals, and let’s not get started on the alcohol (Click here for some tips on enjoying your festive tipples responsibly).
There is nothing wrong with enjoying the festive season and all it has to bring BUT all the overindulging can leave you feeling bloated, uncomfortable and by the time Christmas lunch arrives well… “Bah! Humbug!” and we definitely don’t want that!
Lets focus on what can be done to help you avoid feeling like someone has blown a balloon up in your stomach (and maybe even let the air out) after your Christmas feast. After all…… the only thing that should be stuffed on Christmas day is the Turkey!
If you are hosting lunch, always look for the healthier alternative to prepare and serve. If not (and you can) try and make suggestions to your host or offer to take a few dishes/ snacks along with you. I am sure they will be grateful for the help!
Plan ahead
Have something small to eat a couple of hours before lunch is due to be served or you have any alcohol. This will keep you from jumping in boots & all and overeating when the food is served!
Remember to match every glass of alcohol or soft drink with a glass of pure water. It’s the least calorific and not loaded with sugar especially if you are watching those pounds.
Substitute crisps/salted nuts with toasted almonds, macadamias or mixed seeds. Add a touch of Tamari Soy Sauce, Rosemary or Smoked Paprika to flavour them.
Carrots, celery, cucumber and sweet pepper crudités make terrific dipping sticks with homemade Guacamole and Salsa. Or make celery boats stuffed with low fat cream cheese or nut butter. Plus vegetables are packed with vitamins, and fibre.
Smoked salmon is versatile and can be dressed with dill and added to wholemeal bread squares to make a tasty canapé.
Make a fresh a fruit platter, fresh fruit salad or baked apples/pears for dessert, serve with Greek yoghurt. Why not try my raw snow balls recipe.
Make your own mixed drinks with real fruit juice and sparkling water instead of canned sugary drinks, or make a non-alcoholic fruit punch.
The main event
A traditional Christmas meal has lots of vegetables. If preparing, don’t overcook the vegetables. Steam vegetables rather than boiling or baking them in fat, its healthier and tastier. Use spices, herbs and lemon juice to flavour vegetables, not butter or a creamy sauce.
Serve plenty of vegetables onto your plate as they’re low in calories and fat, but don’t smother them in butter! Make sure half of your plate is full of a variety of vegetables. This will fill you up and provide you with nutrients at the same time.
Make a big salad with all the colours of the rainbow! Chop the ingredients into bite size pieces to make it easy to dish up and eat; so no excuses. Top with walnuts or pine nuts and pomegranates. Make a salad dressing from olive oil, lemon/lime juice and fresh herbs.
Bake potatoes rather than roasting. They are a good source of carbohydrates and are virtually fat free. Top with yoghurt or cottage cheese instead of butter.
Turkey is a good source of protein and low in fat (without the skin). Trim as much fat as possible from meat before cooking or eating. Use or suggest a chestnut or fruit-based stuffing instead of sausage meat.
Try something different; serve fresh fish or seafood instead of roasted meat. For my vegetarian friends try a mixed vegetable and tofu tagine.
For afters
Have the fruit delights you made before! Or a small portion of Christmas pudding, although its fairly low in fat and provides some fibre, B vitamins, potassium, iron and calcium, it is high in sugar! Top with Greek yoghurt instead of brandy butter or double cream.
Sorbets are a light finish to any meal but choose a recipe without much sugar in it.
Have a cup of peppermint tea to help you digest instead of more alcohol or coffee.
One of the best ways to work off a big Christmas lunch is to go for a long walk afterward. Enjoy with the family and dogs!
There you have it! A few simple changes to embrace that should make the day even more enjoyable!
Have a happy, healthy, and safe festive season.
Angelique
Consult your doctor or health care practitioner for any health problems, before embarking on any new health regimes, using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications or food programmes.
Part of my work in clinic is to identity and address the root cause which is responsible for the symptoms a client is experiencing. The most common underlying condition I see is unbalanced hormones. Once I noticed that balancing hormones leads to the reduction of so many other symptoms, I knew I had to create a simple plan to help people understand and support their hormones.
Follow the plan
