Ways to make Christmas dinner healthier?

marinebiologist_girl
marinebiologist_girl Posts: 300
in Food and Nutrition
My Mum goes all-out every year. Turkey, stuffing, veggies, potatos, pigs in blankets, Christmas cake... and before anyone thinks I'm worrying unduly, I CAN'T WAIT! I've been at uni all year and not only is home cooking sheer magic after that, Mum is AMAZING at her dinners. What I AM wanting to bat around with people, however, is a way to make the meal slightly healthier without denying myself and being grumpy about it on Christmas day.

The first thing I can think of is to hold the gravy - which is fine, as I'm not much of a gravy person anyway - and to cut down on the fatty things like pigs in blankets (sausage wrapped in bacon). Also luckily my Mum always cuts as much of the fat as she can off when she carves up the turkey, so the meat'll be a little bit leaner. Any other ideas?

Replies

  • MinisterTom
    MinisterTom Posts: 108 Member
    Portion control is the best thing to do. Skip or skimp on the gravy, only go for a little stuffing. You can also pre-log everything you plan to eat and then adjust the rest of the day accordingly. I did this over Thanksgiving and ended up losing weight that week.
  • marinebiologist_girl
    marinebiologist_girl Posts: 300
    Ooh, thanks. The pre-logging idea is quite good, I may hover around the kitchen and help cook so I can see exactly what's going on the table :D
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,265 Member
    I don't think I've ever been to a Christmas dinner that I would consider unhealthy.
  • marinebiologist_girl
    marinebiologist_girl Posts: 300
    Ok, fair point. By healthier, I mean... less calories.
  • Jen800
    Jen800 Posts: 548 Member
    load up on the vegetables (if you have squash, request it unsugared. I know lots of people cook it like this and it tastes so much better without it honestly!)

    limit mashed potatos, just due to their high-calorie high carb content. Try cauliflower mashed potatos. They tasted equally good, if not better!

    Take the breast of the turkey meat, as it's the leanest. Avoid the skin which is full of fat and therefore calories (not that fat is bad, just if you want to save calories avoid it)

    go easy on the gravy, but no need to deprive yourself.

    STAY HYDRATED. WATER WATER WATER WATER. It's probably going to be very high in sodium, so make sure you hydrate well.

    hmm... if I think of anything else I'll be sure to edit my post ;)
  • MrsAgi
    MrsAgi Posts: 338 Member
    Turkey and veg is actually a pretty healthy and low cal meal (depending on how you cook your veg). Minimise the portions of potatoes, sausages, stuffing, yorkshires and whatever additions your mum makes, and load up on healthy veg instead. Standard gravy isn't really that bad - unless made with cream, wine and butter of course lol. The problem with xmas dinner is all the cake, cream and chocolates afterwards!!!! But one day won't negate all the hard work the rest of the time - as long as it stays at one day:)
  • Alexandria1213
    Alexandria1213 Posts: 152 Member
    If your going somewhere for dinner, bring a veggie or fruit platter for everyone to enjoy, might be easier if you snacked on that and then dug into the Christmas food.

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