healthy eating meal plansNikki Boswell, Nutritionist for the December 28 Day Challenge has provided her top tips to ensure it’s easy to have a healthy Christmas dinner without feeling like you’ve missed out on all the fun:
For many families a traditional Christmas dinner is one of the most significant meals in the year.
Significant eating occasions are a great opportunity to build positive relationships and fond memories of delicious healthy foods which will help you keep up these healthy habits in the long run and help your children to develop preferences for healthy foods too.
Sitting down together for a meal as a family is an important part of this process that allows families to come together and connect over food. It is also a great way to ensure you are eating slowly, whilst engaging in conversation, which allows you to listen to your hunger cues and stop eating when you are full. Making the Christmas meal a really significant event will also mean you are less likely to snack before the main meal – but once the meal is over clear the table and don’t come back for seconds.
healthy eating recipesCooking a big family meal also means there will be plenty of opportunity to load the table with lots of healthy sides, such as steamed or roasted veggies and colourful salads. Try to avoid salads with rich creamy dressings and avoid adding butter and cream to your vegetables. A light drizzle of olive oil will add flavour and is a much healthier option.
The traditional roast chicken or turkey is a good option, with plenty of lean meat on the breasts, just be sure to remove the skin and any visible fat before eating. Seafood can also make a wonderful Christmas dinner which is low in fat, high in protein and tastes delicious.
Remember to drink plenty of water too, this will help slow down your eating and reduce the chance of over eating, while also helping to keep you hydrated. Water jugs can make wonderful table decorations and by simply adding some colourful fruits you will be encouraged to drink more.
Nikki Boswell, Nutritionist
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