How To Eat Healthy On Holidays?

We are already on the Christmas and New Year wave and we are thinking about what food products to load the refrigerator with in order to provide a rich and delicious meal for the holiday. We talk to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Popova how to enjoy the various culinary temptations without suffering serious deprivation. 
 

What are the risks of Christmas and New Year tables?
Festive meals always carry food hazards. They are, of course, an element of rituals, accompany the holiday and create a great mood. You can't do without them, but many people succumb to temptation and often go to extremes that can cause serious health problems. Suddenly the body is loaded with more fat, salt and sugar. This process is often combined with the use of alcohol, which is also not well measured.

All this can cause at least discomfort, insomnia, gastrointestinal problems. It should be emphasized that such eating disorders are especially dangerous for people who already have health problems.
 

What kind of character can they be?

Incidents related to a cardiovascular attack, even a heart attack, and brain problems caused by overeating are not uncommon. Bile crises and inflammation of the pancreas often occur. Acute pancreatitis is a serious disease that can provoke quite unpleasant consequences.

As a result of food feasts, a hypertensive crisis can also occur.
 

What is the right way to eat after 40 days of Christmas fasting?

People who have observed strict fasts may experience health problems when approaching the holiday table. Fasting makes sense from the point of view of nutrition and the physiology of digestion, but it is not suitable for all people. That is why religion relieves pregnant women, nursing mothers, children and sick people from their posts.

The transfer of fasts, directly and mechanically, is not correct.

Fasting risks accumulating an uncontrollable appetite. During the holidays, this appetite can be satisfied - a person literally pounces on food. This is exactly what should not happen. There should be a feeding system, the gradual introduction of products of animal origin, rich in fat, feeding should be frequent, at least 3-5 times a day.

Are there any peculiarities in the choice of food during this transition period?

Fasting is accompanied by deprivation of many foods, especially of animal origin, which bring protein and fat into the body. Eat mainly plant, carbohydrate food. Therefore, when switching to a normal diet, animal foods should be gradually included in the diet. Dairy foods are best for this purpose because they contain complete and well-digested proteins.

Regarding the amount, fasting can start with 500 g of yogurt, divided into two doses. Then continue with products such as cottage cheese, cow's cheese, one or two eggs a day.


Regarding meat intake, it is good to start 1-2 days after the end of fasting. For example, chicken, turkey, rabbit or preferably fish, because it is light and well digested. Under no circumstances should this food be fried.


Another option is to go through a menu with lean soup, and the main dish to be prepared with boiled meat and vegetable garnish. The addition of heavy sauce is not recommended.