Nutrition
Celebrating Christmas the healthy way
Eat healthy during this festive season
In this chapter, we will go to town on the healthy dietary choices and return home on the ones to take in moderation or avoid completely.
To start us off, let’s address the fufu eaters. For us, we can eat fufu with any soup of our choice. Some of the best proteins to add to our soup are fish and boiled egg.
With meats, preferred will be white meats such as chicken, turkey, and rabbit. If it must be red meat, every fatty part must be trimmed off (lean meat), because red meats can increase our blood cholesterol, leading to conditions like hypertension.
For our rice dishes, optimal recipes include brown rice with any stew of our choice (protein choices, above will be applied here also), and to top it off, assorted vegetable salad can be added to the meals to make it healthier and it also increases its visual appeal, boosting appetite.
In preparation of our Christmas time pastries, we should choose fresh vegetable oil instead of old stale oils or animal fats such as butter and lard.
For our beverage choices, the best would be to make homemade juices from freshly blended and squeezed fruits.
Soft drinks and alcohol should be taken sparingly, because too much of these can predispose us to diabetes and liver failure.
If we can make these simple lifestyle choices, we can better our health and live long to enjoy many more Christmases.
All this being said, we must remember that portion sizes and the timing of our meals is key in making a lasting difference in our health.
I would love to wish us all happy holidays and a fruitful festive season!
By Bernice Korkor Asare
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The writer is a Dietician and CEO of Holistic Health Consult
“Your diet your health, your health your wealth”
E-mail:info@holistichealth
—consult.org
Tubani is a meal mostly consumed in the northern region of Ghana.
Ingredients
-Black-eyed pea flour(white beans flour) /cow pea flour
-Water
Method
-Add water to the black-eyed pea flour in a bowl and beat the mixture until it becomes fluffy
-Pour some water into a saucepan and boil
-Wash corn husk and put some at the base of the saucepan on the fire
-Put some of the fluffy mixtures of black-eyed pea flour and water into some of the leaves and wrap
-Put the wrapped food gently into the water on the fire and let it cook for some time
-Cover the top of the water in the saucepan with some of the leaves
-Cover with the saucepan’s lid and let it cook for about 20 minutes.
-Served with fried seasoned tomatoes and onions (chopped) and pepper. -Pulse.gh
Benefits of Black-eyed pea
-Rich source of plant-based protein
-Supports digestive health
-Helps manage blood sugar levels
-Promotes heart health
-Enhances bone strength
-Boosts immune function
-Supports weight management
-Improves mental health and cognitive function
Groundnut oil has essential nutrients. It is rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are considered heart-healthy fats. Additionally, it contains vitamin E, an antioxidant that supports healthy skin and eyes. Groundnut oil also provides phytosterols, plant compounds that help lower cholesterol levels, and resveratrol, known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
– Heart Health
The high content of unsaturated fats in groundnut oil makes it an excellent choice for heart health. These fats help reduce bad cholesterol levels (LDL cholesterol) and increase good cholesterol levels (HDL cholesterol), thereby reducing the risk of heart diseases.
-Rich in antioxidants
Wood Pressed Groundnut oil contains vitamin E, a potent antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative stress. Antioxidants play a crucial role in neutralising harmful free radicals in the body, reducing the risk of chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes.
-Aids digestion
Groundnut oil is gentle on the digestive system, making it easy to digest. It also helps in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K, promoting overall digestive health.
-Boosts immune system
The presence of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds in wood pressed groundnut oil enhances the immune system’s ability to fight off infections and diseases.
– Weight management
Despite being calorie-dense, cold pressed groundnut oil can be part of a balanced diet. Its healthy fat content helps in making you feel full and satisfied, reducing overall calorie intake.
– Stable at high temperatures
Groundnut oil has a high smoke point, making it ideal for deep frying and high-heat cooking methods. Unlike some other oils, it does not break down and release harmful compounds at high temperatures.
Using groundnut oil can contribute to your overall well-being. However, like all oils, moderation is key. It’s important to use any oil, including groundnut oil, in moderation to maintain a balanced and healthy diet.
In conclusion, groundnut oil stands as a testament to nature’s bounty, offering not only a delightful culinary experience but also a myriad of health benefits.
