" 4 Delicious Food Swaps for a Healthier Christmas Feast (That Actually Taste Amazing!)”
Struggling with knowing how to navigate Christmas day lunches and dinners and not feel like you’ve been hit by a bus and end up in a food coma afterwards? You know, switching up your diet can play a huge part in how you feel.
Ready to make some tasty swaps that may also help you stay on your health journey and not put you on the lounge curled up in the foetal position?
Here are four amazing foods you can include
1. Chocolate!
Yes you read that right… at least 70% dark chocolate.
Why It’s Good:
Dark chocolate is loaded with these amazing compounds called antioxidants, particularly flavanols. They're basically your body's cleanup crew, helping to fight off the not-so-good stuff that builds up from stress, poor food choices, and those extra Christmas cocktails! During the silly season when we're all a bit more 'festive' than usual, these little helpers are exactly what your body needs. Plus, when you choose dark chocolate, you get all these benefits without the sugar overload of regular milk chocolate - win-win!"
Try this:
Dipping strawberries, kiwi fruit or oranges in melted dark chocolate. While you getting a hit of antioxidants, your also getting fibre and vitamin c too!
2. Cauliflower – hear me out!
Why It Rocks:
Loaded with fibre, cauliflower is a superstar for anyone really. It boosts your vitamin c intake (again another antioxidant) Did you know that 100g of cauliflower packs in about 3.5g of fibre - the unsung hero that keeps your gut bugs happy and your digestive system running like a well-oiled machine? As a nutritionist, I'm always excited to share that this versatile veggie not only helps keep you regular and feeling full, but its specific type of fibre acts as a prebiotic, basically serving as a five-star meal for your beneficial gut bacteria!
Try This: Trade the butter heavy mashed potatoes with a half and half split of potatoes and cauliflower.
3. Yoghurt
Why You Want It:
Adding yoghurt to your waffles / pancakes even salad dressing not only tastes good but also comes with loads of protein and probiotics. The 12g of protein in just under a cup of yoghurt with help keep you fuller for longer, help to stabilise blood sugar levels and those hunger little bacteria in your gut will love all the probiotic goodness available.
Try This:
Here's my go-to 2-minute yogurt dressing that'll make your salads sing: Mix 1/2 cup Greek yogurt with a squeeze of lemon juice, a tiny drizzle of olive oil, minced garlic, and your favorite herbs (I'm obsessed with dill and parsley). Add a pinch of salt and pepper, and boom - you've got a creamy, protein-packed dressing that your salad and your body will thank you for!
4. Apples
Why You Need It:
Apart from an apple a day, apple are fantastic for your heart health. Combining soluble fibre and polyphenols apples help to manage cholesterol and reduce inflammation making them a great all-rounder.
Try This:
Swap the sugar-laden fruit cake this Christmas to homemade stuffed apples with cinnamon, spiced oats and nuts. You’ll get those familiar Christmas flavours you’ve come to love plus fibre, vitamins and sweetness without all that nasty highly processed sugars and preservatives.
Managing your health means looking at the big picture, and your diet is a huge part of that picture. By incorporating these 4 food swaps to your Christmas lunch or dinner, you're not just eating better; you're choosing to put yourself first and give your body more of the nutrients it needs.
Got questions or need personalised nutrition advise around keeping on track over the crazy season?
You can reach me here
https://www.healinghandsipswich.com.au/bookwithsarah