Family and friends gatherings are just around the corner, where food is the star of the show. It is important to enjoy these celebrations and meals and not deprive yourself , but always in moderation and try to make up for it in the evening or the next day , not only with food but also with drinks .
The products that we usually consume the most during the Christmas holidays are seafood , canapés , sweets and alcoholic drinks and/or soft drinks . The smartest thing to do is to control the quantities , not eat too quickly and compensate .
We recommend you try to follow these tips:
- Don’t be too hungry for meals : It is best to start the day with a good lunch that does not include products such as industrial pastries , and that the main ingredients are whole grains and fruit . In the mid-morning or mid-afternoon, before lunch or dinner , eat nuts or some fruit .
- Serve yourself small amounts and try not to repeat : A surefire trick is to choose the size of your plate . If we choose small plates to serve ourselves, we will greatly reduce excessive amounts , as well as eating slowly .
- Seafood, preferably steamed : It is unavoidable on Christmas menus , but if we choose shellfish , it has less cholesterol than the rest. If we cannot choose another option other than lobster and shrimp , steaming will always reduce calories .
- Alcohol in moderation : A big mistake is mixing different types of alcoholic drinks , such as starting with an aperitif , then wine during the meal, and cava with dessert . The ideal is to always drink the same amount , and not to overindulge . These drinks provide us with empty calories and no valuable nutrients .
- Desserts : Turrones , wafers , polvorones and cakes to round off these already copious meals are the most tempting dishes and are not only consumed during the holidays , but in many homes, once they have finished, they continue to be consumed for a few more days. Currently on the market we can find healthier options free of sugar , but the ideal would be to opt for homemade desserts where we will have been able to control the ingredients and the amount of sugar and/or fruit , such as the famous baked apple with cinnamon .
- Infusions : Avoid coffee with desserts and consume more infusions , such as green tea , chamomile , mint or green anise . A good way to reduce consumption with desserts is to make the infusion beforehand, which will calm the feeling of needing something sweet .
- Do not substitute meals : It is not healthy to skip breakfast or dinner because we have a large meal . The best option is to compensate with products such as vegetables , broths and grilled or en papillote meat and/or fish .
- Controlling after-dinner time : Meals during these holidays sometimes last too long and after-dinner time can be very dangerous, since we will be snacking and drinking . The best thing to do is to take advantage and go out for a walk with the family .
Wherever you are and however you celebrate Christmas , Assap wishes you happy holidays and a happy new year 2020 !!
Health and Happiness for everyone!!!