There are many traditions for the Christmas table and most of them are very delicious. Is it healthy though? It is estimated that we consume up to 6,000 calories on Christmas Day. If we count also the calories from the food that stays aside after…better not even think about it.
Sure, we all know (and expect) to take a few pounds during the holiday season, but then the question is how do we manage to lose them. Therefore, perhaps our best solution is to throw away every excuse that is “once a year” (let’s not forget Easter and all kinds of holidays and holidays) and stay faithful to our diet. Or, just make a try to adapt it.
The Snacks
There are a lot of different snacks to be found in front of us, from all kinds of pies, to clear junk food. Therefore, a nice and healthy alternative as a snack is vegetables with a dip that we have made, such as hummus. Also, are there more perfect and healthy winter snacks from grilled chestnuts?
The Protein
From the choices we have, the turkey is the leanest. And, yes, it’s the main dish, so we cannot do too much for calories, but we can make it healthier. First, it helps to pierce the skin with a fork so that the fat comes out during baking. If we make filling, it would be good to avoid fatty ingredients and to prefer cranberries, apricots, chestnuts and other herbal ingredients – the stuffing will even become more delicious. Also, if you want a vegetarian choice is the roll of vegetables and nuts, which will offer us huge amounts of nutrients, without saturated fat. And, yes, this is the one time we tell you not to worry about the many calories of nuts.
The Vegetables
Fill your table with lots of vegetables, not only on Christmas Day but also on the rest of the week. Cook them in a healthy way, and without using bad fats like butter. In addition, you can take advantage of the water in which you cook the vegetables to make soups, a perfect side dish that will protect you from overeating.
What about the dessert?
Yes, we know that traditional Christmas desserts have a perfect taste. Can you only eat one? We cannot, and that’s why we decide not to have them at home. Alternatively, we make a great fruit salad, or a sweet based yogurt.
Don’t just sit…walk
The sofa or bed may look very attractive after the big Christmas meal, but do not fall into the trap. And, no, we do not tell you to run at the Christmas gym, but a little walk in the neighborhood is what you need to avoid rusting. A study by George Washington University found that a 15-minute walk, half an hour after eating, helps us better control blood sugar levels, as well as reduce the risk of diabetes. Rather than sit on TV, stand up and move.
Small tips:
- Do not change the hours you eat, and do not forget the breakfast.
- Do not eat all day fatty snacks.
- Boil the vegetables with a little water, as long cooking those lacks nutrients.
- At dinner, fill your plate with vegetables, leaving as little space as possible for fattening foods.
- Never eat the turkey or hen’s skin as it contains too much saturated fat. Stop eating when you begin
CrossBorderMedCare is a medical care provider with facilities in Sweden and Greece. CrossBorderMedCare offers a wide spectrum of health care services that meet all the needs of an international patient ranging from urgent to planned medical and dental care. 
Athens BioClinic Hospital is a member of Bioiatriki Healthcare Group which is the largest private medical care provider in Greece. Bioiatriki Healthcare Group owns 26 fully automated primary care Diagnostic Centers and 2 hospitals in Athens and Thessaloniki serving more than 2 million people every year. 
