Research suggests a large percentage of the population are concerned about weight gain during the festive period and social media posts, blogs, articles, and news all gear towards how to ‘burn’ your Christmas dinner off with exercise or which diets to follow to undo it.
The truth is, you do not need to earn your Christmas dinner, or any food or drink consumed during the festive period. See this post for more on ditching diet culture at Christmas. There are a lot of positives to the traditional Christmas dinner and it’s a balanced, wholesome meal! There is so much more to the meal than the calorie content. I thought it would be fun to breakdown the meal and look at all the benefits.
While this post is DEFINITELY NOT needed to justify you eating your Christmas dinner, the intention is to highlight the benefits the meal has and reason for why it should be enjoyed. Please remember food is so much more than fuel and calories. It is experience, joy, memories, emotion, connection, happiness, satisfaction, pleasure and so much more, especially at Christmas.
1.Protein
The turkey (as well as beef, gammon, duck, or whichever meat you choose to eat) is packed with protein which our body needs for growth and repair. It is used by every cell in the body to repair tissues and ensure bodily processes run smoothly. Of course, this goes for your pigs in blankets too! And the nut roast if you’re opting for a veggie option!
2. The classic roast potatoes
No space for low carb here! And it doesn’t matter if you prefer them roasted, mashed or boiled. Potatoes are a source of complex carbohydrates which are broken down into glucose and used as energy by the body, think of it as energy for your moves on the dancefloor! This energy also fuels all the essential organs of the body. Potatoes are also a great source of B vitamins, fibre, folate, and potassium.
3. All the veggies
Loading up on vegetables is a big part of Christmas dinner. Whether it’s carrots, parsnips, broccoli, leeks or the humble Brussel sprout, they all count towards your 5-a-day, no matter how they are cooked or what they are cooked with (cheese I am looking at you!). Vegetables are an excellent source of fibre and several important vitamins and minerals.
4. Gravy
A Christmas dinner is not complete without the gravy! Try making homemade gravy with the leftovers from your veg or water the veg was cooked in. This will avoid all the remaining nutrients going to waste.
5. Healthy fats
Cooking your potatoes or roasting veggies using olive oil provides healthy fats, also known as unsaturated fats. These fats help to reduce LDL cholesterol and are important for brain health.
6. The memories and connections made when enjoying the meal
Remember to be present during Christmas this year. Focus on having a fun time, relaxing or enjoying time with loved ones. Food brings people together and this is to be enjoyed.
Wishing you all a lovely Christmas and yummy Christmas lunch!
Lutrition 