Leo Dimilo
Tonya Lachey
Dianna GHealthy Snacks to gear up for the Christmas feast
December 18th 2007 01:18
To me, Christmas is all about yakking on top of each other with family and friends, watching loved ones’ faces light up (or fall) as they open their gifts (thanks, ebay), warbling through Christmas carols after glasses of champagne and trying to run away from the aunt who’s constantly shrieking out, “Oy! Are you pregnant yet?” But most of all, it’s the attempt to plough through the mounds of food brought over by your hundred and one relatives without having to think about the calorie, cholesterol and fat content on your waist as you pop another fried chicken in your mouth and wash it down with a cocktail. Then five kilos heavier five days later, I find myself joining the throng of guilt-ridden people pumping and panting on a bike or a treadmill to undo the damage of Xmas bingeing.
But for the start of 2008, I want to be one of those people who walk by Fitness First and smirk at the sight of sweating bodies so hard at work. For this Xmas, I am going to be more pro-active and concentrate on prevention. No, this does not mean I will be sitting very well away from the Xmas table but rather watching what I eat during the lead-up to Xmas to ensure looser pants with which to fill them. So this week, I will (vow to) bypass my drawer of flavoured potato crisps that help me through 3.30itis even though each packet of 5 chips only contain 100 calories and the boxes of Ferrero Rocher and Belgian chocolates that keep arriving at work (note to self : send a subtle hint to beloved clients and suppliers that I am allergic to chocolates, peanuts and alcohol) to replace them with healthier snacks like the ones msn's health site listed below :
Japanese - sushi, sashimi and miso soup
A serving of sashimi has less calories than half of a low-fat muffin and a few slices of sushi will make you feel as if you've eaten the whole thing while a cup of miso-soup will keep your grumbling stomach quiet until dinner time. Better yet, swap those hamburgers and chips for a Japanese meal combo for lunch. Yes, it may not be as cheap as a McDonalds meal deal but you'll thank yourself once you're gorging on your Xmas feast. Combined, having a serving of sushi, sashimi and miso soup will have less calories, cholesterol and fat than a hamburger dripping with that special sauce. And the good thing is, you won't get that heavy, bloated feeling afterwards.
Rice cakes, Vita-Weat & Popcorn
Not all at once, of course. Rice cakes, vita-weat or popcorn are a great healthy alternative to potato crisps. Add a slice of tomato and/or low-fat cheese to the rice cakes and vita-weat and opt for the low-fat or 'lite' popcorn instead of the one laden with butter and caramel.
Bananas
A good source of energy, high in magnesium and calcium, bananas are excellent to snack on during morning tea or when you need to psych yourself up for a session at the gym, so ignore that chocolate bar and reach for that funny-looking yellow fruit instead.
Low-fat yoghurt
I am totally loving the low-fat yoghurt from Harris Farm Markets at the moment. They're thick, creamy and come in flavours of mango, passionfruit, strawberry or raspberry and don't taste like the sour ones you buy from the supermarkets where you have one teaspoon and push it away with disgust. Definitely a healthier replacement for that slice of cake, pastry or donut that seems to find its way to my mouth in the early afternoons.
Water
Isn't water just about the answer to everything? With non-existent calories, cholesterol and fat, water can also fill you up and keep those cravings at bay. Drink at least two litres a day - not only does it have ultra-healthy benefits but it also flushes your system, keeping your complexion clean and clear.
[COLOR=Purple]Do you have any other delicious, healthy snack foods you'd recommend?[/COLOR]
But for the start of 2008, I want to be one of those people who walk by Fitness First and smirk at the sight of sweating bodies so hard at work. For this Xmas, I am going to be more pro-active and concentrate on prevention. No, this does not mean I will be sitting very well away from the Xmas table but rather watching what I eat during the lead-up to Xmas to ensure looser pants with which to fill them. So this week, I will (vow to) bypass my drawer of flavoured potato crisps that help me through 3.30itis even though each packet of 5 chips only contain 100 calories and the boxes of Ferrero Rocher and Belgian chocolates that keep arriving at work (note to self : send a subtle hint to beloved clients and suppliers that I am allergic to chocolates, peanuts and alcohol) to replace them with healthier snacks like the ones msn's health site listed below :
yummy yummy (& healthy) sushi
Japanese - sushi, sashimi and miso soup
A serving of sashimi has less calories than half of a low-fat muffin and a few slices of sushi will make you feel as if you've eaten the whole thing while a cup of miso-soup will keep your grumbling stomach quiet until dinner time. Better yet, swap those hamburgers and chips for a Japanese meal combo for lunch. Yes, it may not be as cheap as a McDonalds meal deal but you'll thank yourself once you're gorging on your Xmas feast. Combined, having a serving of sushi, sashimi and miso soup will have less calories, cholesterol and fat than a hamburger dripping with that special sauce. And the good thing is, you won't get that heavy, bloated feeling afterwards.
Rice cakes, Vita-Weat & Popcorn
Not all at once, of course. Rice cakes, vita-weat or popcorn are a great healthy alternative to potato crisps. Add a slice of tomato and/or low-fat cheese to the rice cakes and vita-weat and opt for the low-fat or 'lite' popcorn instead of the one laden with butter and caramel.
Bananas
A good source of energy, high in magnesium and calcium, bananas are excellent to snack on during morning tea or when you need to psych yourself up for a session at the gym, so ignore that chocolate bar and reach for that funny-looking yellow fruit instead.
Low-fat yoghurt
I am totally loving the low-fat yoghurt from Harris Farm Markets at the moment. They're thick, creamy and come in flavours of mango, passionfruit, strawberry or raspberry and don't taste like the sour ones you buy from the supermarkets where you have one teaspoon and push it away with disgust. Definitely a healthier replacement for that slice of cake, pastry or donut that seems to find its way to my mouth in the early afternoons.
Water
Isn't water just about the answer to everything? With non-existent calories, cholesterol and fat, water can also fill you up and keep those cravings at bay. Drink at least two litres a day - not only does it have ultra-healthy benefits but it also flushes your system, keeping your complexion clean and clear.
[COLOR=Purple]Do you have any other delicious, healthy snack foods you'd recommend?[/COLOR]
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Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
Food Slate
A couple of others that I do are:
- vege sticks and/or plain corn thins with dips like beetroot and hummus.
- rice cakes/crackers with ricotta (mixed with a little salt pepper and chopped basil/parsley)
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
Is this the food to have when you're not having some food (Clayton's like)? Any excuse will do.
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I LOVE proper low-fat yogurt, in a bowl with fresh berries or mango or passionfruit or even pineapple, which I have discovered is fantastic too. YUM!
And Lara's vege sticks or corn thins with vege or chickpea dip - that's something I'm always up for too.
Michaelie
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Comment by Aimzster
Reality TV
The Jeepney Stop
First Time Mum
Kat, hehehe...kind of.
Michaelie, ooh...pita pizzas with all the toppings you mentioned. I've been looking for an alternative topping to pizzas besides salami and bacon!
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
I'm a massive pita pizza fan too! They're awesome. I'm also a vitaweat girl through and through. They're the best.
Rice crackers are also good. Pretzels are also a healthier alternative to chips.
I'm not eating too badly so far this silly season. But my liver really wishes that there wasn't so much drinking going on!!!!
Kylie
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
BTW-Dark chocolate in moderation is fabulous for heart health and destroys free radicals.
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
Comment by Maribeth
Sydney Restaurants