New Year’s Eve: 10 practices and easy tips for the festive table without guilt

In a few hours the festive tables for the first day of the new year will be filled with flavors, aromas and smiles. But how can we enjoy food without remorse or fear of scales? The Clinical Dietologist- Pediatologist Theodora V. Giannakopoulou shares in the Athenian – Macedonian News Agency simple and practical advice to celebrate without anxiety and with absolute pleasure. DIVERSION 1. Balance and quantity Enjoy all food but in small portions. You don’t need to lack anything, just prefer the quality of the taste instead of the quantity. Use smaller dishes to better control the size of portions. 2. Start with salad Start your meal with salads or vegetables to feel satisfied before eating the richest dishes. Prefer simple salads with light dressing (such as lemon, vinegar, some olive oil). 3. Choice of appetizers prefer grilled, boiled or cooked appetizers instead of fried. Avoid very fat sauces or very processed foods. ADVERSE 4.Do not skip meals Many make the mistake not to eat during the day to eat more at the festive table. This can lead to excessive consumption. Eat a light breakfast and lunch before dinner. 5. Beware of sweets Traditional sweets, such as melomakarona and barbers, contain many calories. Choose to consume them in moderation, e.g. 1-2 sweets per day. Look for melomacrons containing olive oil instead of butter. 6. Do not forget water Drink enough water during the day, especially if you consume alcohol. Reduce soft drinks and prefer natural juices or sparkling water. 7. Attention to alcohol Alcohol contains many “empty” calories. Choose wine or champagne instead of sugar drinks and avoid cocktails. Drink slowly and in between drink water. Furthermore, an excellent alternative is the choice of mocktails, which offer a variety of flavors and can be adapted to any preference. An easy and enjoyable recipe is “Holiday Cranberry Mocktail”. 8. Hear your body Eat until you feel comfortable full, not too full. Learn to recognize the signs of saturation. 9. Move Try to integrate some physical activity, such as a walk after lunch or dancing during the holidays. 10. Enjoy the moment Food is part of the celebration, but the real meaning hides in the beautiful moments with the company, the warm discussions and the love that the atmosphere of the holidays brings.