How to have a healthier Christmas: Melissa Hemsley's top tips and recipes
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There is of course space for indulgence at Christmas. But the endless rounds of mince pies and nights out can make us all feel a bit stuffed by Christmas Day itself. My suggestion is to cut back on ultra-processed foods, embrace more real food, and give presents that people actually want. That’s where Making Your Own (MYO, it’s the new BYO) comes in. Here are my top tips for a delicious and healthy Christmas period.
I do love champagne and wine, but there’s only so much I can take over the festivities before I soon get grumpy, headachey and lethargic. So look out for drinks that are fizzy, fun, fermented and delicious and have some good things going on as well for your gut. I really love Momo Kombucha drinks (favourite flavours are Hibiscus and Mandarin). I also really like Agua De Madre water kefir.
Instead of meat dominating the plate, let vegetables star this Christmas. Over the festive period and beyond make meat go further by eating less of it and opt for better quality meat and more vegetables. It should save us money, help the planet and more veg (and a variety of veg) is a great habit to get into health-wise too. For example, if you’re making a shepherds pie, replace a third of the minced lamb with a tin of cooked lentils and finely chopped mushrooms. Or if you’re making a huge Boxing Day Bolognese you could swap some of the mince beef for uncooked red lentils that will melt into the sauce and make it super thick and satisfying and means you need less meat or perhaps you want to make a creamy chicken leek pie, perhaps swap out a third of the chicken for some lovely butter beans.
