Celebration Food

In many instances especially during festivals celebrations around the world, people tend to binge on celebration food and indulge in high calorie food and lots of sugary festive sweets and desserts. Here are some do’s and don’t during festivals celebrations.

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Fasting and Feasting
1)Fasting is a great way to detox but can deplete your body’s nutritional resources as well.
Top-up with low-fat, nutrient-high food such as grilled fish or chicken, clear soup and fruits.

2) Low liquid intake during fasting period can effect digestion and cause constipation.
Increase intake of fruits and vegetables such as oranges, guava, carrots, beans, spinach and tomatoes. Include yoghurt to boost you digestive health. Also decrease diuretics such as tea and coffee and rehydrate with sports drinks.

3) Go slow on family favourites such as rice or coconut based milk curry – your stomach muscles need time to get oriented to your pre-fasting state.
Eat smaller portions each time so that you can get to taste a bit of everything.

Festival of Light
1)High-fat, oil-rich curries increase calorie levels and may send blood pressure and glucose levels soaring.
Substitute santan (coconut milk) with low-fat milk and go slow on the oils when cooking or dining.

2) Sugary festive sweets and desserts give you an instant high but leave you lethargic and tired later.
Split each sweet snack and share it with a loved one! To keep energy levels high, try sweating it out and don’t forget your multi-vitamins and mineral supplements.

3) Over-cooking beans, lentils and vegetables strip them of natural nutrients.
Supplement your family’s diet with fresh fruits and vegetables such as cucumber, tomatoes and carrots that don’t require cooking.

Christmas and New Year Seasons
1)Year-end parties are great fun but remember not to go overboard with the calorie-high food and alcoholic drinks.
Limit yourself to one alcoholic drink each time, just for starters. Never go with an empty stomach as it makes you drink more. Have a snack and a cup of herbal tea or milk when you get home to prevent a hangover the next day should you have too much of alcoholic drinks.

2) Calorie and sugar-laden Christmas and fruit cakes and send glucose levels spiraling upwards.
Try baking your own cakes and deserts with less sugar or sweeteners. For decorations, cut down o the icing and replace with dried fruits such as raisins, apples, pineapples or mango.

3) The year end holidays are often used for relaxing, pampering and enjoying festival foods, right up to the New Year.
Stay active mind, body and soul! Take this opportunity to exercise, reflect on past achievements and draft new goals or resolutions for the next coming year!

In Summary
DO –
1) Go slow on the fats, sugar and salt in your cooking during festival seasons.
2) Drink lots of water to stay hydrated – festive seasons are when people tend to fall sick more often
3) Take smaller portions of each food for more variety.
4) Opt for fresh foods over processed foods.

DON’T –
1) Forget to take your multi-vitamins mineral with probiotics supplements – more festive seasons do not mean more nutrients.
2) Take more food than you can finish. Stop when your body says stop.
3) Eat like there’s no tomorrow. There’s always the next festival to look forward to!
4) Turn the celebrations into food fests – make it a meaningful time for sharing and caring.

The above is extracted from a circulating email.

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Remember then at the next festivals celebrations around the world how you can take in celebration food, yet not go overboard with the many high calorie food available.