Christmas Day tends to revolve around the food – a table groaning under dishes we’ve been dreaming about for weeks in advance. We’re often so focused on that Christmas feast that we forget it’s only one meal.
How many Christmases have you skipped breakfast, and relied on snacks to get you through until you can squeeze your plate onto the table and scoop up your festive favourites? Our Nutritional Therapist, Julie Deeks recommends planning ahead so you can enjoy special seasonal fare all day long.
These are Julie’s three delicious tips…
Don’t skip breakfast
Ensure you have a good breakfast on Christmas Day morning and plan this into the day. Keeping your energy up will help with your mood, keep you focused and soak up any early alcohol consumption. Managing your mood with a sustaining breakfast and nourishing snacks, may keep your blood sugar and mood more evenly balanced, making Christmas day a lot more fun.
Planning tip: Buy eggs, ham, bacon, smoked salmon (kippers), mushrooms, plain Greek yogurt, fresh berries, granola, toasted nuts, sourdough and potato scones. Items like these can be presented easily on a large table and turned into a buffet style breakfast. Lay the breakfast table before you go to bed on Christmas Eve. If you want cereal, why not have this as well?
Snack Preparation
Have a few easy, healthy snacks to hand in case your Christmas meal is running late. Tins of chocolates and other sweets are great, and you can enjoy these too. I recommend you balance your snacks with these lovely, easy to prepare options, you will thank me for this. Keep the equilibrium.
Sharing snacks:
– Raw nuts in their shells with some satsuma’s (nut crackers required)
– Smoked salmon with a squeeze of lemon juice on warmed or toasted pumpernickel rye bread – cut into mini squares
– Mushroom pate on toasted sourdough – cut into mini squares
– Plate of olives and cheese to share
– Chopped apples with cheese or salami to share
– Mini sandwiches – humus and roasted peppers, ham and pickle, lamb’s lettuce tomato and left over bacon from breakfast
Enjoy!
This is really important, Christmas Day is a feast, it is only one day, give yourself permission to enjoy it – this year more than ever. No calorie counting, no restricting.
Watch this space for more tips on having a relaxed Christmas Day and some alternative Christmas desserts. If you would like to book an appointment with Julie Deeks for specific dietary advice, please contact us on 020 8332 6184 or alternatively book online.
