Healthy indulgences for the holidays and after

Christmas is beginning to seem like “Stressmas” to many of us because of the countless social obligations and family reunions that the holidays entail.  During these occasions, it is difficult to avoid delicious, calorie-filled dishes and desserts and this translates only to one thing: the inevitable holiday binging  which results in weight gain.  A recent survey showed that aside from the heavy traffic and long queues in the stores, weight gain during the holiday season is a major concern for many.   

 Many Filipino traditions center on big meals. For starters, take the Misa de Gallo. After Mass, we indulge in a hearty breakfast of bibingka with kesong puti, tsokolate eh, puto bungbong, baked ham with pandesal, and other Filipino delicacies. I have friends who attend the Misa de Gallo because they love the breakfast feast.  It’s about time we made a conscious effort to change our holiday eating habits without depriving ourselves of the usual revelry that accompanies the season.

 I have to host a dinner party for some friends flying in from the USA.  I am challenging myself to think of dishes that are low in calories but high in taste as due to some health concerns, they requested me to steer clear of the usual holiday delights like lechon and its variants, (lechon kawali, binagoongang baboy),  dinuguan, sisig, etc.

  I went to Healthy Options, (Rustan’s branch) and decided to serve some items that I found there.  For appetizers, I will serve Terra chips and Pop Overs white cheddar flavor.  Both have no trans fat and contain only 100 calories for 8-10 chips. Nut Thins crackers have 65 calories for eight pieces of crackers.  These will go well with salsa or hummus as they are delicious low-calorie appetizers.  Two tablespoons of hummus have 35 calories while two tablespoons of Stonewall Kitchen salsa have 15 calories. Both have zero trans fat.  Freeze-dried Crunchies of Blueberries, Mixed Vegetables and Fruits are healthy, low-calorie appetizers (30 calories per 1/2 cup) that are good sources of vitamins A & C so I could serve those. too.

 For drinks, I will serve wines and bubbly, but I notice that my system cannot take too much alcohol anymore. My friends tell me the same thing, so here is an option:  Alternate the alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic sparkling juices.  I will serve them in champagne flutes for added drama .  There are only 50 calories per champagne flute, as compared to 90 calories of the real bubbly.   A good brand is Kristian Regale Sparkling. Peach or pomegranate/apple flavors are my favorites.  The Pear/Cranberry of Organic Tradition is also a good choice and has 55 calories per champagne flute.

 A low-calorie, fiber-loaded delicious brown rice pasta from Cadia (fettucine or spaghetti) will be one of my main dishes.  Field Day Organic or Walnut Acres Pasta Sauce (90 calories per 1/2 cup) is my choice of sauce as they contain no artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, and are available in Italian herb, Marinara, roasted garlic, and tomato basil variants.  I will put my own personal touch by putting some mushrooms, black olives, and Parmesan cheese.

  I will also serve a fish dish, which I will order from my restaurateur friends — Jean and Michelle d’Orival.  As part of their menu for the holidays, they offer fresh salmon in brioche with light lemon mayo sauce (P1,900 per order), and  a tri-color fish terrine which costs P1,650 per 1 kg. or P2,300 per 1.5 kg.  I could also serve a low-calorie Chicken Galantine with sauce which costs  P2,300.  They offer free delivery around Makati area.   P300  delivery charge outside Makati. Call 893-2072/03 or e-mail info@lacuisine.ph for their complete list.  They also have delicious healthy desserts like the Raspberry Iced Bomb with Meringue — P1,900 per good for eight personsll will serve as my dessert.

   To serve with coffee or tea, I’ll pamper my guests with Amberlyn truffle dark chocolates that have only 150 calories per two pieces and are really delicious.  For less calories, Amberlyn sugar-free  dark chocolates have 114 calories for two pieces.  

 For tea drinkers, I found caffeine-free Republic of Tea Cuppa Tea Range. This rich, full- bodied, deliciously decadent and caffeine-free tea collection is a guilt-free indulgence.  Each Cuppa Chocolate Tea is made from a base of pure South African rooibos blended with all- natural cocoa powder, chocolate, fruit, herbs, and spices.  Anyone with a sweet tooth will delight in each flavorful, antioxidant-rich blend.  

 For coffee drinkers like myself, I will serve Teeccino Herbal Coffee which is 75-percent organic.  One freshly brewed cup delivers all the satisfaction without the caffeine and the acidity of coffee.  They are available in Vanilla Nut, Chocolate Mint, Almond Amaretto, Hazelnut, Java Mocha, French Roast, and Maya.  

 This would be the healthy menu during the dinner party for my balikbayan  friends.

Once in a while, we should check out health stores and see what they have so we can change what has to be changed in our diet.  Discovering tasty, trans fat-free healthy foods opens a whole new perspective not only on our daily meals but also on our party fare.  It could be the start of a healthy lifestyle.