Christmas dinner IS good for you!
http://www.articles888.com/articles/4149/1/Christmas-dinner-IS-good-for-you-/Page1.html
Paul Adkins
Paul Adkins<br />
Pancentric<br />
<a href="http://www.pancentric.com">SEO Agency London</a> By Paul Adkins
Published on 11/6/2008
Christmas dinner isn't just a great tradition, it's full of nutrients and it's actually good for you. So don't feel guilty, get stuck in!
Christmas dinner IS good for you!
Christmas
dinner isn't just a great tradition, it's full of nutrients
and it's actually good for you. So don't feel guilty, get stuck
in!
Turkey
Having turkey at Christmas is great as it is naturally low in fat, so you're off to a good start if you've chosen this for the big day. Remove the skin if you want to be extra healthy as it contains most of the fat and you'll save around 40 calories per portion. Turkey is a good source of lysine, which can help stop ugly cold sores and it also contains vitamins B, zinc and potassium, which keep cholesterol down, regulate blood pressure and boost the immune system. And the best news is it contains selenium, which could help protect against cancer.
Cranberry sauce
Cranberries are full of antioxidants and treat urinary tract infections like cystitis. They're also rich in vitamin C, which protects cells, keeps them healthy and helps the body absorb iron and vitamin D, which regulates the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body to keep bones and teeth healthy. If you have high blood pressure, cranberries are great because they contain potassium which helps lower it. Other health benefits include preventing stomach ulcers, dental plaque, heart disease and some cancers, so there's no reason not to go back for a second helping.
Vegetables
The traditional Christmas turkey is usually surrounded by loads of different vegetables, all of which will count towards your five a day, so Christmas day is actually the easiest day of the year to get your five in one meal!
Brussels sprouts: Christmas is probably the only time of year that you eat Brussels sprouts, so make the most of them as they're very good for you. They're rich in vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system, helps improve vision and keeps skin healthy - perfect if you want to avoid a cold and look great for a New Year's Eve party. They're very rich in fibre, which keeps your digestive tract working effectively and if you eat just nine sprouts, you'll have half your daily dose of folic acid which your body needs to form healthy red blood cells. If you've been overdoing it in the run-up to Christmas, sprouts contain compounds that are very good for detoxing and also help protect the body against cancer.
Carrots: Add some carrots to your meal on the big day because they're rich in beta-carotene, which converts into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is needed for healthy skin, fighting illness and disease by boosting the immune system and it protects your vision, especially night vision. Carrots also contain antioxidant compounds that help protect against cardiovascular disease.
Peas: Did you know that peas are good for your bones? They contain a vitamin called K1, which is essential for bone health. They're also a good source of folic acid, needed to form healthy red blood cells, vitamin E, which helps protect cell membranes by acting as an antioxidant, iron, which makes red blood cells and zinc, which helps wounds to heal.
Potatoes: You may find it hard to believe, but potatoes actually contain more vitamin C than a glass of orange juice. The body needs vitamin C to protect cells and keep them healthy, lower cholesterol and fight allergies and asthma. Scientists have also found that potatoes contain a compound that can lower blood pressure.
Christmas pudding
Before you turn down a helping of Christmas pudding, remember that the dried fruit in it contains lots of potassium which every cell and nerve in your body needs to function properly. It's also a good source of fibre, which helps your digestive system, and iron, which the body needs to transport oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Add a big dollop of custard and you'll also be adding calcium, good for strengthening bones and teeth.
Other Christmas food
If you've decided not to put a satsuma at the bottom of your kids? Christmas stockings, then change your mind! They're rich in vitamin C, which will boost their immune system and help them fight off the colds and viruses around at this time of year. Don't ignore the Christmas chestnuts that are around either. They're the only nut that's actually low in fat so you can enjoy them guilt-free!
Kate Corr
Good to Know
A great Christmas resource featuring Christmas menu inspiration, Christmas gift ideas and tips on having a cheap Christmas.
Turkey
Having turkey at Christmas is great as it is naturally low in fat, so you're off to a good start if you've chosen this for the big day. Remove the skin if you want to be extra healthy as it contains most of the fat and you'll save around 40 calories per portion. Turkey is a good source of lysine, which can help stop ugly cold sores and it also contains vitamins B, zinc and potassium, which keep cholesterol down, regulate blood pressure and boost the immune system. And the best news is it contains selenium, which could help protect against cancer.
Cranberry sauce
Cranberries are full of antioxidants and treat urinary tract infections like cystitis. They're also rich in vitamin C, which protects cells, keeps them healthy and helps the body absorb iron and vitamin D, which regulates the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body to keep bones and teeth healthy. If you have high blood pressure, cranberries are great because they contain potassium which helps lower it. Other health benefits include preventing stomach ulcers, dental plaque, heart disease and some cancers, so there's no reason not to go back for a second helping.
Vegetables
The traditional Christmas turkey is usually surrounded by loads of different vegetables, all of which will count towards your five a day, so Christmas day is actually the easiest day of the year to get your five in one meal!
Brussels sprouts: Christmas is probably the only time of year that you eat Brussels sprouts, so make the most of them as they're very good for you. They're rich in vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system, helps improve vision and keeps skin healthy - perfect if you want to avoid a cold and look great for a New Year's Eve party. They're very rich in fibre, which keeps your digestive tract working effectively and if you eat just nine sprouts, you'll have half your daily dose of folic acid which your body needs to form healthy red blood cells. If you've been overdoing it in the run-up to Christmas, sprouts contain compounds that are very good for detoxing and also help protect the body against cancer.
Carrots: Add some carrots to your meal on the big day because they're rich in beta-carotene, which converts into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is needed for healthy skin, fighting illness and disease by boosting the immune system and it protects your vision, especially night vision. Carrots also contain antioxidant compounds that help protect against cardiovascular disease.
Peas: Did you know that peas are good for your bones? They contain a vitamin called K1, which is essential for bone health. They're also a good source of folic acid, needed to form healthy red blood cells, vitamin E, which helps protect cell membranes by acting as an antioxidant, iron, which makes red blood cells and zinc, which helps wounds to heal.
Potatoes: You may find it hard to believe, but potatoes actually contain more vitamin C than a glass of orange juice. The body needs vitamin C to protect cells and keep them healthy, lower cholesterol and fight allergies and asthma. Scientists have also found that potatoes contain a compound that can lower blood pressure.
Christmas pudding
Before you turn down a helping of Christmas pudding, remember that the dried fruit in it contains lots of potassium which every cell and nerve in your body needs to function properly. It's also a good source of fibre, which helps your digestive system, and iron, which the body needs to transport oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Add a big dollop of custard and you'll also be adding calcium, good for strengthening bones and teeth.
Other Christmas food
If you've decided not to put a satsuma at the bottom of your kids? Christmas stockings, then change your mind! They're rich in vitamin C, which will boost their immune system and help them fight off the colds and viruses around at this time of year. Don't ignore the Christmas chestnuts that are around either. They're the only nut that's actually low in fat so you can enjoy them guilt-free!
Kate Corr
Good to Know
A great Christmas resource featuring Christmas menu inspiration, Christmas gift ideas and tips on having a cheap Christmas.