A healthy festive season: Food swaps can keep you on track

We know that summer brings many festive events, and with those events comes all the decadent food we can imagine!

This can sometimes make it tough to stick to a healthy eating plan.

However, there are a few small and simple changes we can all make to our everyday eating to make a nutritional impact.

Why not consider a few of these easy-to-make changes to make your holidays celebrations a little heathier?

It can really make a difference! Healthier options can be as simple as these swaps:

• Swapping from whole milk to light or skim milk alternatives 
• Consider a move away from dairy milk to almond milk 
• Try ditching the white carbs (white bread and bread rolls) for wholegrain alternatives. There are many breads, wraps and rolls on the market
• Go mad for tomatoes. Swap out a creamy sauce on your pasta or meal for a tomato based dish
• Enjoy a summer barbie! Get out of the kitchen and use the grill instead of the frying pan 
• Exchange the can of soft drink and try a flavoured sparkling water instead

 

There’s always more we can do to make healthier choices and still enjoy the foods we all like. We’ve put together a few options to change up our every day eating to provide a healthier approach.

Considered a mince swap?

If you're making a recipe that calls for mince, try swapping it out for lentils, or a leaner mince like turkey. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, most grocery stores carry kangaroo mince or pre-made kangaroo burger patties. Kangaroo meat is high in protein and very low in fat (about 2%) and is a sustainably sourced meat.

Cream can be a secret calorie bomb.

A generous dollop of sour cream is often used in many dishes, from nachos to soups. Maybe try a low-fat variety. Greek yoghurt is also a lighter alternative that packs protein and is still creamy and delicious - without the calories.

Craving a salty snack?

Snacks like chips, nuts or pretzels can be high in sodium and fat. But the craving for the salty crunchy sensation of a mouthful of chips can be hard to ignore. The good news is, you don’t have to. There are alternatives like popcorn that can hit those cravings, and it comes in many flavours and toppings at a fraction of the calories as a bag of chips.

There are lots of ways to still enjoy social occasions and the food that comes with them, without worrying about the impact on your health. By eating a healthy balanced diet and getting some activity into your daily routine, you can focus on enjoying yourself and spending time with friends and family.