Christmas is the time of year when people are busy planning their menu. All members of family, relatives, and friends gather to reconnect & enjoy the festive season with some delicious food treats.
There are chocolates, cakes, cheesy biscuits, Ice cream, and other calorific delights. So is there anything healthy about Christmas?
Yes, there is.
Here’s a list of some healthiest christmas food you might want to indulge on your table this Christmas.
Roasted Turkey
Turkey is low fat and high protein meat contains 240 calories in 4 ounces of meat making it a relatively better option to consume. The most important benefit of turkey is that it’s rich in tryptophan (Amino acid).
“Consider Omitting the skin for lower calories intake”
Serotonin and Melatonin present in the tryptophan help in sleeping better and calming mood. The reason we become prone to sleeping order at old is due to the level drop of tryptophan in our body.
Moreover, turkey is rich in vitamin B6 which helps in keeping you healthy and away from tiredness.
Cranberry Sauce
Cranberries are known for their magical properties to support liver health. That makes it a perfect food to recover from the Christmas party hangover.
“Cranberry sauce is naturally low in fat and has no saturated or trans fats”
They should ideally be consumed raw. However, simmering them a little to make sauce won’t affect the nutrients value much. Just be careful with the amount of sugar you add to balance the taste. Perhaps, you can try other available alternatives of regular sugar.
Salmon
Either raw or cooked salmon tastes better anyway. Salmons are highly rich in Omega-3 fatty acid, Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) & Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
“Consider two 100 gm servings of salmon per week”
Consuming .45 gm to 4.5 gm of Omega -3 fatty acid can improve arterial function. Generally, consuming 100 gm of salmon provides 2.3 gm of Omega-3 fatty acid. These fatty acids are proved to be vital in improving heart health and its functionality.
Pumpkin Casserole
Pumpkins are rich in fiber which holds our digestion process and make us full for a longer duration.
Pumpkin is 90% water which helps to keep our body hydrated, moreover, it’s very low in calories and keeps us feel full for a long. The orange color of pumpkin comes from the presence of beta-carotene which turns into vitamin A in our body.
“A cup of canned pumpkin contains 7 gm of fiber”
Vitamin A is considered, very beneficial for our eye health and it also assists in absorbing and processing light. You can grill it, or make a casserole or pie, pumpkin is always the tastiest and most nutritious food choice.
Brussels sprouts
Brussels sprouts belong to the same food family as cauliflower and cabbage. They are power-packed with essential nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, manganese, etc. and considered best among the healthiest Christmas food items.
Moreover, they contain a high amount of fiber and sulforaphane that is known to prevent bacteria H. pylori.
“Brussels sprouts are low in calories but high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.”
Including Brussel sprouts in your diet can help to keep your digestive system healthy and happy. You can try to roast sprouts before adding nuts or cranberries into it for added flavor.
Parsnips
Parsnips are root vegetables that belong to the subspecies of Pastinaca sativa. They are generally found in central Asia and through the European region.
They can vary in color and contain spices, nuttiness, and sweetness in taste. Greeks and Romans have used it as a natural sweetener to add in cake and other bakery items.
“Parsnips are higher in fiber than potatoes”
Parsnips are rich in Vitamin C and contain around 17 milligrams of Vitamin C in half a cup of raw parsnips. Vitamin C helps to fight against various infections and boosts the immune system. Also, they are a good source to intake fiber and provide around 3 to 5 grams of fiber in a single serving.
CONCLUSION
Though Christmas is a time to celebrate and enjoy with loved ones. Don’t let the celebration makes you enter into next year with a cold and a few more pounds to work on. You can choose food items from the list of healthiest Christmas food mentioned above.
Moreover, alcohol is a source of empty calories and contains almost zero nutrient value. You must limit the amount of alcohol you consume during the festive season.