(ETX Daily Up) – The Christmas meal is often synonymous with excess of all kinds, including sugars, salt, fats, and even alcohol. While there is no question of depriving yourself during this moment of sharing, with dishes that you sometimes only eat at this time of year, it is however possible to replace certain foods and ingredients with others to make this meal healthier, and the next day… less difficult.
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Food poisoning, indigestion, hangover, or even liver attack, festive meals are often eagerly awaited and much appreciated, but the aftermath can also be very difficult. In question? The numerous excesses induced by this type of feast which generally drags on for a long time with a profusion of foods and alcohols as diverse as they are varied. And the multiplication of these gargantuan meals, on December 24 and 25, then December 31 and January 1, at best, generally only makes things worse if reflexes are not taken before, during, and after, these moments of sharing.
Water, the basis
There is obviously no question of imposing water on all guests during the traditional Christmas meal, although this remains essential. But it's important to hydrate to avoid certain discomforts when you wake up, and – contrary to what you might think – not just to fight against a hangover. Water not only helps promote digestion, an important point for this type of event, but also promotes the absorption of nutrients, reduces the risk of dehydration, and controls appetite. We tend to forget it, but water helps control hunger, and therefore eat less at meal times, not to mention that it can replace a glass of alcohol here and there throughout the meal. evening.
The best is to consume plenty of it before the meal, possibly alternate alcohol and water during it, and drink plenty of it again afterwards. Note also that if Champagne and other festive sparkling wines are essential for Christmas, cocktails and non-alcoholic wines are increasingly popular, again allowing you to avoid many worries. Note that it is also advisable, even if it means choosing between alcohol and… alcohol, to favor wine and bubbles, whatever they may be, over alcoholic cocktails, which are often sweeter.
Raw vegetables as an aperitif
For some, it is unthinkable to consume vegetables, in any form, during this festive evening. However, they also make a meal much healthier and lighter. Why not offer them at aperitif time, a time when stomachs heat up and guests generally tend to snack frenziedly. As a host, it is entirely possible to opt for a limited quantity of dishes for the aperitif in order to avoid excesses, but vegetables allow you not to deprive yourself, and even to feel full, without having to to regret.
In this case, it is better to opt for raw vegetables: carrots, cucumbers, radishes, celery, cherry tomatoes, cauliflower, among others, to serve with dips as light as possible, such as hummus, guacamole, tzatziki, tapenade, or – better – cottage cheese garnished with herbs and lemon. As an alternative to salty snacks, why not offer dried fruits, much healthier and lighter, before starting the Christmas feast? A good alternative since they are also full of health benefits.
To choose is to give up
It's difficult to deprive yourself of the different Christmas dishes, especially when all the guests are enjoying them, but sometimes you have to know how to choose, especially when you know that you have a fragile stomach – or liver. In any case – if possible – avoid too many foods rich in saturated fats. As such, it may be appropriate to choose between foie gras and smoked salmon, in favor of the latter. Smoked salmon is also a source of saturated fat, but in lower content than foie gras, and it should be added that salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, particularly good for heart health.
For a balanced meal, it is also better to choose lean proteins, such as turkey or chicken (without skin), which are also less rich in fat, rather than meats such as duck. All accompanied, wherever possible, with grilled or steamed vegetables. If you have to prepare the meal, it might also be a good idea to replace refined sugars with unrefined sugars – logically – or natural alternatives like honey, for example. In all cases, it is important to take small breaks between each dish, and to chew well, in order to feel satiety more quickly.
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