Smart choice

It is not about not enjoying the festival or, for that matter, the festive food. It is only about making smart choices for welcoming the New Year in a healthy way. Here are a few healthy choices to make:

• Turkey breast is a smart bet as it is full of protein and zinc as well as low in fat. To make it more healthy, brush it with oil before cooking instead of pouring or spooning oil over it.
• Eat more of raw or steamed vegetables which would help you provide all Vitamins and minerals.
• Avoid cranberry sauces, bread puddings and white sauces.
• Extra booze may help you enjoy your party better but will not be able to keep a check on your expanding waistline. Dilute your drinks with plain water, soda water or lemonade to cut down the calorie content.
• Try and restrict yourself to a 30 ml shot at a time. Avoid beer. Choose smaller glasses for your drinks and sip them slowly. Alternate have a glass of alcohol with water. This will reduce your calorie intake by half.
• If you are the host, try and serve more of raw vegetables as salads and dips and also low fat versions of crisps and dips. Soups, baked or grilled fish, roasted snacks & fruits as desserts are all the healthy choices you can go for.
• Have something filling before you leave for a party and do not over indulge when you are out.
• Fill your plate just once and do not go for a second serving.
• Avoid sweets (sausage rolls, pastries, chocolates) and deep fried foods(wontons, fried prawns) and other high calorie foods such as spring rolls, garlic bread, chips, peanuts, creamy dips, pizza and many others.
• Another thumb rule is that if you have a heavy meal planned ahead in evening, go for soups and salads during the day and also the next day.

— Dr Nikita Agarwal, Nurtitionist, Life Health and Nutrition Clinic, Delhi