Keto Christmas
Here it comes again, the season of indulgence! And for most of us (after the presents and the parties) nothing says Christmas more than a table groaning with tempting treats.
The social pressure to eat, drink and be merry is cultural. It’s all tied up with memories of childhood, family traditions and the (let-me-off-the-hook) feeling that it’s only ‘once a year’. How many times have we said, “Go on, it is Christmas after all”?
The sad part is, for those who are metabolically unhealthy, for diabetics or pre-diabetics and for carb addicts everywhere - like myself - Christmas is a real challenge.
Cakes, biscuits, chocolates and sweets cause everyone’s blood sugars and insulin response to go through the roof, and then crash down making us feel rubbish afterwards – and hungry again sooner than ever. That Christmas afternoon nap? Headache halfway through the day? That’s a carb-induced energy slump.
Will the world end if you eat a mince pie? Of course not. And maybe you can cope with a day of overeating (and eating food which you know isn’t good for you) and not suffer any lasting damage. But for many of us it’s simply not worth it. Carb addicts find that indulging wakes up their own personal sugar demon - which then won’t let them stop eating sugar, once it’s awake!
I will be limiting my food variety this Christmas because I’ve learned that otherwise I’ll be craving (and auto-eating) sweet things well into the New Year. I’m also likely to have a rheumatic flare-up and I wouldn’t wish one of those on my worst enemy.
If you’re trying to eat cleaner to lose weight or reverse your metabolic syndrome or autoimmune condition, here are the Christmas Cheat Codes:
· Eat plenty of fatty meat and fish – don’t avoid the fat, this is what keeps you fuller for longer. Try a turkey leg instead of breast (and put butter on it!). Avoid the stuffing if you can (unless it’s KetoChoice’s low carb stuffing recipe).
· Smoked salmon and scrambled eggs for breakfast? Yes please! The more of these you eat, the less tempting the other foods will be.
· Vegetables which grow above ground have less sugars in them than carrots, potatoes and parsnips. Try courgettes, broccoli, sprouts, cauliflower, asparagus or salad.
· A portion of cheese and a few pickles and olives is a great low carb snack.
· A handful of berries whisked into a full fat yoghurt or whipped cream makes a perfect, low carb desert. If you add the berries while they’re frozen, you have an instant ice-cream. And if you need it a little sweeter, use a non-sugar sweetener which doesn’t end in ‘ose’, like stevia, monkfruit, erythritol or xylitol.
· If you want some alcohol, ditch the wine or beer in favour of the hard stuff. The higher the alcohol content, the less sugars are left after fermentation. My favourite is brandy and sparkling water – long, cool and strong! Careful though – alcohol can completely destroy any good intentions you may have. I
It is possible to take part in all the festivities without compromising your new, healthier self and your resolutions - without the guilt and consequences of a high-carb holiday.
Try it this year and see if it makes a difference to your whole, dependent relationship with food and our food-based cultural holidays. You may just find yourself free of the sugar demon for good and roaring into a healthy New Year.
I hope you all have a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful and Prosperous New Year.
Helen Reynolds
Founder of KetoChoice
30th November 2023
#keto #weight #health #big food #low carb #Christmas