Christmas! We know that it’s not exactly synonymous with ‘healthy’… for instance, did you know that in the UK we eat more calories than any other country in Europe?* During the festivities, it can be a real struggle to get your complete daily intake of fruit and veg. Those strawberry crèmes, chocolate oranges and fruity Christmas puddings don’t really count as one of your 5-a-day (it would be great if they did, but alas…), therefore we have put together our complete guide to making sure you’re getting your 5-a-day the easy way this festive period!
A Berry Good Breakfast
A filling breakfast to start the day – glorious, steaming porridge! As porridge stabilises blood sugar levels, you won’t experience a slump before lunch time and you’ll stay fuller for longer. To get in some of your 5-a-day early on during the Christmas period, add handfuls of cranberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries or anything else you fancy to your porridge. Tasty!
Pile your plate High with Vegetables!
This is definitely one of the easiest things you can do to help achieve your 5-a-day this festive period (particularly the big day itself). When it comes to main meals, make sure you pile on the vegetables first before anything else – this leaves you less tempted to make up room with the unhealthier food!
To make the veggies even healthier, instead of using butter, use herbs and lemon zest for extra zingy flavour!
Good Buffet Decisions
You’re sure to be have been invited to a number of Christmas parties and get-togethers this December, you might even be throwing you own! If so, it’s time to make some smart decisions.
Sausage rolls, cheese boards, finger sandwiches, mince pies… they’re a tempting buffet selection. However, you can still create/pick tasty finger foods that will satisfy your 5-a-day needs. For instance: Cous Cous Stuffed Peppers, Cous Cous Stuffed Tomatoes, Asparagus Wrapped in Smoked Salmon and Cauliflower Cakes with Yogurt Sauce to name a few ideas!
Fun Christmas Creations for Kids!
Making eating fruit and vegetables fun is a key way to entice your kids to get their 5-a-day this Christmas period. For instance, you could make a cucumber Christmas tree! Simple skewer cucumber slices to form leaves and add grapes or any kind of other fruit and vegetables for decoration! Volia! The perfect Christmas snack.
Drink your way to 5-a-day
If you’ve been outside in the cold, another way to get one of your 5-a-day is by having a steaming mug of V8 Original! It’s the perfect flavoursome and warming drink to enjoy on a freezing winter’s day, give it a try!
Tasty Leftover Salads
Remain calm, we know the word salad is the last thing you want to hear, but trust us – it is possible to make a tantalisingly tasty leftover salad!
The perfect idea for after the big day – take your leftover turkey and combine together with Chinese cabbage, bean sprouts and shredded carrot for a zingy, veggie packed dish! Add drizzle with the condiment of your choice.
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