How To Have A Healthier Christmas
(by a nutritionist)

The countdown to the most festive time of the year has begun, and whilst food is there for enjoyment as much as it’s needed for nourishment, it can be all too easy to end up in that festive food coma. Here are 5 simple tips to enjoy a little more balance over the festive season and not miss out.

1. Learn the art of mindful eating

Simply slowing down when we eat, chewing thoroughly and avoiding distractions such as TVs and phones can help us to be more in tune with our hunger and fullness cues, making portion control of those festive goodies that much easier!

2. Use healthier fats

Those deliciously indulgent festive foods are often high in saturated fats such as butter and goose fat. Instead, try using heart-friendly fats such as olive oil to cook your roast potatoes or even baked goods such as a festive gingerbread loaf.

3. Get inventive with steaming and grilling

Did you know that steaming your festive veggies in the Panasonic Combi oven can retain more vitamin C and B vitamins in comparison to boiling? Have a go at steaming your Christmas pudding or even salmon which locks in moisture without the need for additional fat. While grilling is an excellent low-fat way to cook meat.

4. Swap milk chocolate for dark chocolate

For those chocolate lovers out there, you’ll be pleased to know that cocoa provides health-promoting plant chemicals such as flavonols which have antioxidant properties. Dark chocolate has a much higher concentration of these flavonols in comparison to milk chocolate and tends to be lower in sugar.

5. Bake easy festive treats

Why not try some easy festive recipes which means you can use less sugar and healthier fats without compromising on flavour? Try using natural unrefined sweetness such as bananas and blackstrap molasses for an additional nutrient hit. Enjoy perfectly baked festive goodies using the Panasonic Combi Oven and Breadmaker, which does all the hard work for you!

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Lily Soutter

Lily Soutter

Lily Soutter is a leading London nutritionist BSc MSc ANutr. Her extensive knowledge of the science of food and health enables her to regularly write for national press and feature on prime-time TV shows. Lily’s passion is to simplify the science around nutrition, to provide health hacks and smarter eating strategies that empower people to enjoy a healthy and successful lifestyle.