It is customary to celebrate during the end of the year celebrations Let’s change our diet for some typical dishes or products from these dates. These foods don’t necessarily have to be in tune with a healthy regimen if we’re not careful.
To David León Lizama, Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics Career at the University of Technology of Peru (UTP), It is important to maintain balance or homeostasis during these end of year holidays and to strengthen our body by consuming food properly.
“The tradition of chocolate, panettone and Christmas dinner can play against us in terms of indigestion and excess calories, if we don’t have the right care. We have to choose one of them, choose what’s healthy and measure the portions to consume,” said David.
He shares some recommendations that can help us enjoy the typical foods of these dates, without harming our diet.
1. Fruits and vegetables
They are foods that are important because they strengthen the body’s defenses, thanks to their high content of vitamins and minerals.
2. Reduce the consumption of saturated fat
Present in red meat, sausage and Christmas cookies. It is preferable to choose vegetable fats, such as those from olive oil and fatty fish, due to their heart-healthy properties.
3. Protein intake
White meat, fish, eggs and proteins of vegetable origin, legumes, nuts, should be consumed in sufficient portions as they help strengthen our immune system.
Include carbohydrates
They are present in grains, pasta and rice. In addition to energy, they provide fiber and improve intestinal transit, especially unrefined products. However, we must consume them wisely so as not to exceed our calorie intake.
5. Reheated food
Eating reheated food can be harmful to your health, especially if it is greasy and highly spicy food. This means that toxic microorganisms develop in the environment and pose a health risk with stomach pain and severe gastrointestinal poisoning. Therefore, it is advisable to be careful with the consumption of these foods
6. Don’t forget physical activity
Finally, doing physical activities will help us maintain a calorie balance. It is important that they are part of our lifestyle, beyond allusion to avoid obesity.