subject: Foods For Christmas - Ethnic Christmas Foods That You Love [print this page] December is a wonderful time where the weather is just about perfect and where there are plenty of gatherings and celebrations. Food and wine typically flow at such a gathering and can take its toll on one's waistline. It is that time of the year where everyone makes concessions in their diet and end up with a New Year's resolution to knock off all that gained weight. Christmas is yet another magical day in December where food is of central importance.
Christmas spreads may vary but these typically have one thing in common - they are invariably lavish. It is not just the main course at a Christmas meal but also the dessert spread that can lead to weight gain. The rich pastries, Christmas cakes and goodies can leave one with plenty of extra pounds. This is why one has to spare a thought for the health value of Christmas meals and we all have to find tricks to cut back on excess consumption during this wonderful season.
Do remember that Christmas would not be Christmas without the food and goodies so it might be best to exercise moderation rather that substitute that casserole for plain boiled vegetables. Instead, look up ways to make such traditional items a lot healthier. For instance, with a casserole, use ingredients which are lighter and use the creamy ingredients sparingly. Instead of that thick crust of cheese, you could simply opt for a sprinkling of cheese while remembering to use a low-fat brand. It will probably be best to serve a limited Christmas spread while making sure that each dish is a healthier version of the traditional dish.
Stuffed chicken might take some effort to prepare but it is one example of a dish which can be served at Christmas and still be made with healthier ingredients than its usual recipe. Do ensure that the total calories at the Christmas meal are not excessively high while taking into account the eggnog and other Christmas specialties.
A simple salad should be part of the smaller menu such that it offers guests a chance to cut back on the calorie value of the Christmas meal. It also helps to limit traditional sweets that contain a lot of sugar and look at simple recipes for healthier cakes instead, without the excess creams and chocolate.
Chocolates could be included if used sensibly and if the dark variety is used. At the end of the day, remember that portion control can help immensely and you should enjoy a truly merry Christmas.
