Howdy there! I hope you enjoyed the first installment of our Holiday Survival Guide ’09. If for any reason you want to give us feedback so we can improve this guide for next year, don’t be shy. Questions, criticism, suggestions…share whatever it is you want us to know so we can create an even better guide next year. Consider this a…call to action, if you will.
This section of our survival guide could actually come in handy year round, but it’s especially important now, when so much of us are hosting get-togethers. For your benefit, and the well-being of your guests, you should always consider ways to be a healthy host. Preparing more health-conscious meals is a great way to stay on top of your well-being this holiday season.
Here’s some suggestions on how to do just that:
- Cut back on sugar. In fact, you could probably achieve great-tasting treats with only half as much sugar. Try out different ingredients like nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, or mint. Fresh or dried fruit can also be added to give any dish some extra sweetness.
- Be salt-shy. Many popular condiments come in low-sodium varieties. Also, herbs and spices make for a great salt-substitute in recipes. Cheese platters are incredibly fatty and salty, too, so if you can, skip on those. Instead try fresh veggie trays. Cucumbers go great with fruit salsas, too! It’s a great spin on the not-so-healthy idea of chip and dips. If you’re willing to opt out on ham, too, prepare some pork loin roast. With the right seasonings, it can be every bit as tasty.
- Trim the fat. Baked goods are incredibly popular this time of year. Applesauce, mashed bananas, or other fat replacers can easily be substituted into baked goods without losing quality. For recipes that call for milk, always use low-fat or fat-free options. A simple, lower-fat gravy can be made using a low-sodium broth (or dripping with fat removed) with a mix of flour and skim milk.
- Be sanitary and safe. This should go without saying, but following the proper sanitation practices makes everyone involved safer. It may not effect the taste or your cholesterol levels, but it should always be considered!
- Alternative entertainment ideas. Cookie exchanges and extravagant dinners are fairly common this time of year. Instead, serve lighter meals and clear away food when people are done eating, so they’re not tempted to pick at it. Don’t make food the center of attention at your party; introduce board games, or do a white elephant gift exchange. Either way, whatever you end up doing, you and your guests will be less tempted to gorge yourselves.
- Roasted vegetables can easily replace fatty sides. Instead of stuffing or sugary, marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes, right slicing some squash, sweet potatoes, parsnips, and tomatoes and roasting them with your turkey (pork roast). It’s a healthier method than a lot of the other common ones used for veggies during the holiday season!
- Strong-flavored cheeses, like aged Parmesan and Gorgonzola, pack a lot more punch per ounce. There’s also less fat. So if you want to use cheese, use these types, instead of the classic melty cheeses like cheddar.
- Instead of rich, fatty liquids, try low-fat skim milk or potato puree as the base for your sauces. Also, avoid adding too much salt! Herbs and spices should create more of your flavor.
- Don’t buy a huge bird if you’re only cooking for a small group. Buy just a part of the turkey, like the breast. It’s cheaper, and you won’t have leftovers to tempt you later on.
- If you make stuffing, prepare it outside of the bird. Stuffing inside of the bird will soak up fat that would normally drip off.
It doesn’t have to be difficult to throw a heart-healthy holiday gathering. Planning ahead can make it even easier! And think of it this way: if you can present a large meal for several people without cheating on your heart health goals, you can do it for yourself year round with little trouble!
But what happens when you’re not the host? What if you can’t control the food you’re served at these celebrations and parties? Well, you have to be diligent. You have to know your limits. We’ll discuss all of this in further detail in our final installment, “Weathering Holiday Parties”.
Good luck, stay safe, and enjoy the season!