Chinese New Year (CNY) is always a fun-filled time with family, friends and food. However, family reunion dinners and New Year feasts often contain lots of meat with little vegetables that are bad for your body. Here are some healthy tips you can choose to stay healthy during the festivals.
1. Watch how foods are prepared
Sometimes, healthy food can become bad for your health because of how it’s prepared. For instance, vegetables are high in fibres, but that doesn’t mean you should be eating them deep fried or prepared with lots of oil and salt. Always know how foods are prepared before you pile up your plate. When in doubt, it doesn’t hurt to ask.
2. Balancing your meal
Simply follow My Healthy Plate guidelines to have a balanced, satiating meal without overloading your body. Start by visualizing your plate divided into quarters: half the plate for vegetables and fruits, one quarter for meat and other proteins, and one quarter for whole grains (or maybe some rice as an exception for the festive season).
3. Cook your own healthier festive food.
Choose healthier cooking methods like steaming, grilling, oven-baking, stewing and stir-frying with less oil to reduce the amount of fat used. Try replacing salt with herbs and spices to marinate and season your food, as this will help reduce the amount of sodium in your dishes.
Here are some simple tips for making healthier CNY recipes.
– Make a lower-calorie yusheng by adding more fresh fruits and vegetables. Replace plum sauce with fresh lime juice, lemon juice or balsamic vinegar and choose thin rice crackers or whole wheat crackers over deep-fried ones.
– Balance your steamboat by filling your pot with a base of vegetables, a mix of protein such as lean chicken, pork, fish, tofu, and eggs, along with healthier carb alternatives, preferably whole-grains, for a balanced and nutritious meal.
