Diets and Christmas do not get along very well, but you can make this relationship become a relationship of love, especially with yourself. Just because you’re on a diet doesn’t mean you can’t taste tasty and delicious dishes. The trick is not to think about what you can’t eat, but what you can, and adapt your Christmas menu to your diet. What to eat at Christmas if you’re on a diet? We tell you some tricks to cope with Christmas Day (and these holidays in general) if you are on a diet and a menu suggestion that may interest you. Notes!
Tips to overcome Christmas on a diet
It’s not easy, but it’s not impossible either. If you have already taken the step of going on a diet, then keep in mind that if you do not want there will be nothing that can divert you from your goal. It’s all in your mind control and some other tricks to cope with this holiday.
+Overcome one day at a time: do not be thinking about what you will do the day you have a party, in each of the days that you will have to face delicious dishes, etc. Try to live day by day and overcome temptations every day. This will create less anxiety.
+Cooking: If you go to a party where you are confident enough, bring your own food. It’s the best way to make sure your diet remains adequate based on your diet. Do not trust that there will be something on the menu that you can eat, because if there is not, you will find yourself in a difficult position to continue with the diet.
+Always carry healthy snacks: It is not about snacking at all times, but you can use a healthy snack as a substitute for the cravings that come your way, for example if you go to visit a friend and he offers you nougat.
+Allow yourself a day off: One diet-free day a week can ease some anxiety these dates. But the day off isn’t about eating as much as you want, as you’ll only backtrack on your achievements. It’s about allowing you to eat a craving, something Christmas that you really want. Indulge yourself only once, without bingeing, but savoring Christmas.
+Believe in yourself: It’s what you have to say to yourself every morning when you wake up, tell yourself that you believe in yourself and your willpower to continue your diet this Christmas.
+Ask for help: Don’t be afraid to lean on your family and friends, even a professional, to overcome food anxiety at this time. Ask them to help you and understand the situation you are in at family gatherings. You will see how receiving their love helps you a lot (and maybe they add to your healthy menu).
Healthy menu for Christmas if you are on a diet
If you are going to cook your own menu at Christmas, opt for a light and healthy menu whose ingredients are suitable in your diet. Of course, it is important that your diet is carried out by a nutrition professional who has given you the previous guidelines to follow depending on the type of diet you are going to follow. Therefore, if any of the options we propose do not adapt to your diet, look for another alternative that can go better with it.
Starters for a dieting Christmas
We start with the starters, which are usually quite caloric at Christmas. Therefore, the ideal is that you look for healthy alternatives to ham, chorizo and more caloric seafood.
–Seafood skewers. Actually, you can probably eat some seafood in your diet, but you may not be able to overdo it (for example, if you are dieting for excess cholesterol it is likely that you have them prohibited). If you can eat one or two prawns or shrimp, one way to incorporate them without them knowing you little is with these delicious skewers, very simple to make. You just have to roast with a drop of olive oil cambray onions, peeled prawns, monkfish (or other fish of your choice) and cherry tomatoes (although these can go fresh on the skewer). You can spice as you like fish and seafood. When you have it, make the skewer: onion, prawn, a piece of monkfish and finally a tomatito. You already have some delicious and very healthy skewers!
–Tuna tartare appetizer: if you like tuna tartare, you can make a very simple appetizer with this delicious dish. Prepare the tartare, which usually has chopped fresh tuna, soy sauce, wok sauce, lemon, chopped yellow pepper, chopped onion, celery, a little mayonnaise to bind and, of course, lemon to lightly cook the tuna. When you have it done, separate it into small portions and put them on a leaf of lettuce buds. Sprinkle sesame on top and if you feel like it you can put some capers too. You already have a delicious, nutritious and very healthy snack for your Christmas menu.
–Anchovy canapé with avocado: this canapé is very simple and delicious. You will need a few spoons of canapé to present it. You just have to prepare a guacamole with avocado, cilantro, lemon, finely chopped red onion and a pinch of salt. And if you want to make it with a touch of spicy you can put a few drops of tabasco sauce or chop jalapeño pepper and incorporate it into the mixture. Remember to reserve the guacamole with the avocado seed inside so that it does not oxidize. Then, roll in the spoon an anchovy previously drained from the oil in the can. Fill with a little cream cheese, goat cheese, vegan cheese or other cheese you can eat. Then top it off with some guacamole.
- You may be interested: “23 delicious and simple vegan recipes for Christmas”
First courses for a Christmas on a diet
There are thousands of healthy options as a starter. The easiest thing is to opt for a soup or cream, or if you prefer, a salad. The important thing is that it is a dish with many vegetables and few carbohydrates. For example, a pasta salad isn’t the best choice if you’re dieting, but an arugula, nuts, and orange salad is a healthy and delicious option. Try to make the dressing of your salad as natural as possible, fleeing from mayonnaise and prepared dressings. On the contrary, you can play with vinegars, olive oil, natural mustard, honey, red fruits, lemon … all healthy and nutritious food in the right proportion.
As for soups and creams, try to make them vegetable. For creams, instead of using cream or cream to give it that milky touch that is always delicious, use a splash of vegetable milk. You will see that it gives it creaminess and a delicious flavor. If you are allowed in the diet to eat fresh cow or goat cheese, you can also add a little to the cream, to give it a slight cheese flavor.
What the main course should look like if you’re dieting at Christmas
It is important that you flee from fried foods and opt for healthier dishes, that is, baked, grilled or steamed. There are countless delicious dishes with these ideal preparations for these dates. For example, baked turkey, salmon with papillote or grilled beef loin. Sometimes the main course seems healthy, but the accompanying side dishes are not. Therefore, it is important that you pay attention to the side dishes and opt for light garnishes that do not unbalance your healthy Christmas menu: baked vegetables, green salad, cooked vegetables … To give them a touch of flavor you can make a sauce with olive oil, cilantro or parsley and almonds or pistachios. Play with food to make delicious sauces. Of course, consume it moderately.
Desserts for a Christmas diet
For those with a sweet tooth who are on a diet, dessert is a test of overcoming. Really at Christmas there are few typical desserts of the time that are suitable for the diet (if any). However, again, just because you’re on a diet doesn’t mean you have to give up a delicious dessert. We propose two ideas that you may like:
–Fruit skewers with dark chocolate. You just have to choose the fruits that you like the most, for example, strawberry, pineapple and orange. Prepare melted chocolate, which is bitter without sugar and without milk. When you assemble the skewers throw a little chocolate on top. It’s a delicious dessert!
–Dates with walnuts. Bone the dates and put a nut inside. It is a very simple dessert that satisfies very well and is delicious.
We hope these tips and ideas will help you get through this Christmas diet. Remember that in moderation is balance and that the important thing is that you feel good about yourself. Your mind will be your great ally in this process. Go for it!