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WHAT'S NEW
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Healthy holiday foods
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While you work your way through the party season and holiday food offerings, you can seek out guilt-free nutritional gems. Eating healthy throughout the holidays is easy with tips from cookbook author and chef Rose Reisman.
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By Kat Tancock
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5. Pie
Believe it or not, pie isn't the devil when it comes to weight gain. Well, sort of. "Often the pie filling is not the culprit, but rather the crust," says Reisman, who recommends pumpkin and apple pie over pecan -- although pecan pie is still a better pick than a butter tart. When out for pie at a party or restaurant, consider eating the filling and skipping the crust -- and hold the ice cream and/or whipped cream, as well.
Home-cooking tips: Reisman blames the butter or vegetable shortening in pie crust for most of pie's calories and fat, and suggests lightening up your crusts by using a mix of cookie crumbs held together with a combination of water and oil. For the filling, she says, "for every two eggs called for, I use one liquid egg substitute or two egg whites," and use 2 per cent evaporated milk in place of cream.
6. Gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies and meringues
All cookies are dangerous when it comes to packing on the fat -- both on your hips and in your arteries -- so go easy on them, and try especially not to eat them mindlessly. Reisman names shortbread among the worst (after all, they're a mixture of butter and sugar blended with flour) and suggests opting for gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies and meringues, all lower-fat items on the dessert tray, to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Home-cooking tips: Portion control extends to baking, too. "In moderation, there is not a problem with cookies," Reisman says. "But often they stay around too long and we make a daily diet of them." Don't feel like you have to stock the freezer with every family cookie recipe from the past 20 years. Instead, consider picking three to five favourites -- have each member of your household pick one -- and enjoy them without guilt.
7. Fruit
Just like the raw veggies, fruit trays and fruit salads are a great way to add fibre, vitamins and other nutrients to your meal. Also include fruit compotes such as apple sauce among your side dishes -- but again, remember to watch your sugar intake.
Home-cooking tips: Fruit-based desserts are excellent choices for holiday meals -- fruit salads and fruit plates are easy to prepare and even easier to buy premade, and make a healthy and delicious side dish to richer sweets such as cookies. For a fancier fruit-based dessert, try the following recipes:
- Individual Pavlovas with Pomegranate and Grenadine
- Winter Fruit-Salad Bowl With Marsala
- Rustic Apple, Pear and Cranberry Pie
8. Apple cider and cranberry juice
Alcoholic beverages are some of the biggest weight-loss traps, so try to keep your consumption of them low -- especially high-calorie holiday drinks like eggnog and creamy cocktails. "Alcohol is high in calories, dehydrates you and has few nutrients," says Reisman, who recommends limiting yourself to two drinks.
Instead, choose apple cider or cranberry juice; while they can be high in sugars, they can offer numerous health benefits. Even better, water one or both of them down with sparkling water for a low-cal treat that looks smashing in a champagne glass.
Home-cooking tips: Make sure to offer your guests a selection of healthier beverage options -- don't offer the health-conscious (not to mention the designated drivers) boring tap water when everyone else is enjoying fancy cocktails. Stock up on sparkling water and juice, and try the following recipes for alcohol-free imbibing:
- Mulled Cranberry Cider
- Warm Spiced Apple Cider
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