Global eating tips

Written by Barbie Broschart   

I’m so excited for tomorrow! Christmas Eve is probably my favorite day of the year. Why? To me, it is the day with the best food! When I was growing up, my Italian side of the family always dominated Christmas Eve and boy am I grateful for that! Luckily, my fiancé is Italian too, so I will never have a weak Christmas Eve dinner. My favorite things to eat? Seafood! And when it’s made without a lot of fat from butter or oil, seafood is low in calories, full of protein, and rich in omega 3 fatty acids.

But, there is one catch with the meal — too much food! My remedy is to practice portion control and savor every bite! I fill up my plate just once so I can taste everything. When you’re faced with a big meal, remember to pause between bites and take sips of water.

Want some more guidance? Take a look at what cultures around the world eat on Christmas Eve and borrow their best healthy eating tips!

In Poland:
What to keep: My friend Peter told me they eat a lot of fish, broiled and fried. Fish has plenty of heart healthy fat so be sure to eat some. Golapki, otherwise known as stuffed cabbage, filled with rice and mushrooms is also eaten. 
What to leave: Skip the fried fish, which is high in fat and calories and go lite on the pierogi, (boiled or baked dumplings stuffed with various ingredients) depending on what they are stuffed with they can run about 90 calories, and 4 grams fat per piece.

In Spain: This is supposed to be the biggest meal of the year! Talk about celebrating!
What to keep: Lean fish, like lobster and fish soup. Lobster is a great source of lean protein. Soups, particularly fish soups, are great appetizers because they often leave us feeling full, which prevents us from overeating.
What to keep: Cheese can also be a good source of calcium and protein; just watch your portion since it’s high in saturated fat.

In Finland:
What to keep: Common traditional foods include cooked peas, different kinds of salads, roe (fish eggs), and cold fish dishes. Fill up on vegetable based salads, which are high in fiber, rich in vitamins and low in calories. Fish, as we know, is a great source of lean protein.
What to leave: Go lite on the pate! Depending on what the pate is made of (typically, chicken, liver, or duck), one 4-ounce serving has about 230 calories, 440 mg cholesterol, 440 mg sodium, 15 grams fat, and 5 grams saturated fat. Casseroles are also typically high in calories because they are made with cheeses or cream sauces.

These are just few I came across. Whatever you’re eating tomorrow, enjoy — responsibly, of course!