Let’s start with a small but important reminder: how you eat during the early hours of New Year’s Eve is just as important as what you eat at night.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is fasting all day in order to eat freely at night. Long periods without food cause your blood sugar to drop, leading you to consume much larger quantities than you actually need in one sitting. Additionally, eating a large meal after prolonged fasting can cause your body to store more fat. Not to mention, it may also lead to digestive issues like indigestion and bloating, making you feel uncomfortable throughout the night.
Remember:
Eat less and carry yourself; eat more and you carry it!
Therefore, it’s crucial to have regular meals throughout the day, eating healthily and in line with your needs at each meal.
You can start the day with a nutritious breakfast rich in protein and leafy green antioxidants.
For snacks, opt for low-fat or semi-skimmed dairy products combined with fruits that are low in sugar.
During main meals, avoid fatty and sugary foods. Eliminate simple carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, noodles, pastries, and cakes from your diet. Focus on vegetable- and protein-based main meals. Also, eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly — because the feeling of fullness only signals to your brain after about 20 minutes.
About 1–2 hours before sitting down to the New Year’s table, you can have a small, easy-to-digest meal such as a bowl of light soup and a whole grain breadstick (grissini). This way, you won’t feel excessively hungry or rush to grab every appetizer in sight out of fear it might run out. Moreover, since a lively evening filled with conversations and dance is expected, be sure to maintain your water intake throughout the day to prevent dehydration.
Now, let’s get to those important minutes you’re excited about!
First, pay attention to how your food is cooked — avoid dishes prepared using frying methods.
As a main course, turkey, a great source of protein, would be an excellent choice. Instead of serving it with simple carbs like rice or pasta, opt for complex carbohydrates to prevent blood sugar spikes.
As a complex carb side dish, quinoa tabbouleh is a delicious option.
For appetizers, choose yogurt- or cheese-based mezes rich in protein. A good choice would be a celery salad with strained yogurt and walnuts. Instead of having a single type of appetizer, you can enjoy small amounts of several varieties by paying attention to these suggestions. Considering your smaller portion sizes, you’ll come out as the real winner on New Year’s Eve!
If you want to indulge in dessert, wait a little after your meal instead of eating it immediately. Choose lighter options like milk-based, low-sugar desserts or baked fruit desserts. Heavy, fatty, and sugary sweets could cause dumping syndrome.
Also, to better control your food intake, put your fork and knife down frequently during the meal.
Our Mini Lemon Raw Cheesecake Recipe Can Add Color to Your Night!
For the base:
- 100 g raw hazelnuts
- 5 dates
For the topping:
- 3 tablespoons light cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 lemon
Soak the dates in hot water for about 5 minutes, then blend them with the hazelnuts. Once they’re finely ground (similar in texture to poppy seeds), press the mixture into the base of your chosen mold. Next, mix 1–2 tablespoons of lemon juice with 1 teaspoon of honey and zest the lemon into the mixture. Let it sit covered in the fridge for half an hour to develop more flavor. Combine the lemon mixture with the light cream cheese until smooth, then spread it over the base. For a beautiful finish, top with small lemon slices and freeze for about 2 hours before serving. The smaller your mold, the fewer the calories per piece. We recommend using ice cube trays for this cheesecake — it’s easy to pop out and enjoy whenever you like!
Apple Mint Cinnamon Cocktail
Juice 2 green apples using a juicer and mix with the juice of half a lemon or orange. Add cinnamon, fresh mint, and an orange slice for garnish. To dilute the mixture, you can add water and enjoy it as a more aromatic, refreshing drink.
And what about alcohol?
If you’re curious about that, stay tuned — the next article will be all about it!
Wishing you a joyful New Year’s Eve full of fun and easy tolerance…
