Healthy Summer Entertaining

Discover some simple tips for healthy holiday entertaining which will leave you satisfi ed but not overstuff ed like your Christmas turkey.

- Lisa Holmen

The holiday season can be a time to overindulge and expand the waistline. Whether it’s a homemade pavlova, a turkey stuffed with all the trimmings or duck-fat-glazed potatoes, it’s easy to overeat during the silly season. According to Nutrition Australia, the average Australian gains approximately 0.8 to 1.5 kilograms over the Christmas period.

There’s no need to be a dietary grinch this festive season; it’s still the season to be jolly, but this doesn’t mean you have to compromise your health in the process. Here are some tips for healthy holiday entertaining that will leave you satisfied and nourished.

Shop smartly

The first step to healthy entertaining is being organised and shopping smartly. It’s important to make a list and stick to it. Sounds easy, right? Shopping blind often means unnecessary treats end up in our supermarket trolleys and we end up with lot more than we originally went in for. This is not a good idea for both our health and our purse strings! Try to develop a delicious yet healthy meal plan based on how many guests you expect for the main event and the overall entertaining period. Look for fresh, seasonal produce at your local market and cook from scratch wherever possible. Don’t deny yourself a few treats along the way; summer isn’t a time to diet — just try to keep the treats to a minimum.

Start the day with a balanced, nutritious breakfast