(For December 2009 Bookwatch Issue)
People read for various reasons – to get information, to gain understanding, and to make time for leisure.
I read for all those reasons. I like to read biographies, fitness and lifestyle, fashion, travel, and food. I love very much munching on food, but I also like to read about them, too.
With the most anticipated occasion of the year fast approaching, all people seem to have in mind are shopping, gifts, parties, and food. Yes, the holiday season is almost all about food. As we start to get busy preparing for exciting tasks as the Christmas season sets in, we tend to eat what we want and everything that is served on the table without bothering to know or read the labels.
It may seem impossible to stick with a diet during Christmas holidays. Trust me, it is really hard. Oftentimes I would reason out that holiday celebrated guilty foods such as glazed ham, roasted chicken (turkey, the best!), lechon, and delightful pastries have to be eaten because they are only on the dinner table once a year. This is reason enough for me to indulge and justify that eating such foods won’t hurt as much. But then, after going to several dinner parties every holiday season, I would often have difficulty zipping up my pants.
Thus, I would like to share some tips to beat the holiday season’s indulgence. Simply go with the basics. If you can not decide what to choose from the tempting and scrumptious cuisines on the dinner table always say a prayer first. Saying grace for the food on the table is as much important as taking vitamins everyday. Besides, it will allow your mind to ease out a bit on splurging everything you see on the table.
Health experts say that go first with the fresh and the green ones. Salads are always present during Christmas holiday dinners. Pick fresh salads or the green salad over those cooked and mixed with high calorie ingredients such as mayonnaise and cheeses. Fresh veggies and fruits are great fillers and good starters. Take time to try them before diving in to main courses. Salads are best to take first not after as everyone usually do.
No matter what experts say, oil has fats. It doesn’t matter if they are good or bad. They’re simply fats. Flavorful creams, dips, gravy, and sauces are made up mainly of oils. Dip once, sip twice, and taste a little. The key is moderation. You don’t have to pour them all on your plate or gallop the dips because they taste good or substitute them for soup.
Nobody said that you have to eat the whole plate of lasagna or the whole roasted chicken or gulp the whole gallon of ice cream, and leave no room for other foods. The key is moderation. Make it a point to try everything in small bites and pieces. Savor everything.
Food labels can sometimes be confusing and most people don't even bother reading them. There are two basic parts to think of when reading food labels; one is the actual ingredients of the food and second is the nutritional values of those ingredients. Check the ingredients list and pay attention to percentages and values of calorie, sodium, and fats. Remember, the lower the value it has for sodium, saturated fats, and calories, the better. And if you can not pronounce the ingredients indicated there or have no clue what they are, skip the product.
For those who want to look younger or try to delay the aging process, it’s time stay away from processed foods – cold cuts, frozen pizzas, and canned products. Processed foods age us fast! They give extra unnecessary double work for the pancreas and the digestive system. Our digestive system can only take so much processed foods.
Instead, go for antioxidants. Flax is a powerful antioxidant that's so easy to add to almost anything! Use it when you're making chicken fingers, add it to your cereal, or sneak it in to your muffins.
Dinner parties are great if you arm yourself with the information of the food stuff you are taking inside your body.
