Healthy eating tips for the festive season

Festive seasons are characterized by celebrations with lots of food and drinks. However, not all types and proportions of food and drinks are healthy. A nutritionist at the Federal College of Agricultural Produce Technology, Kano, Najib Ahmad Panda, said that eating healthy is paramount during festive seasons such as Christmas and New Year celebrations. He […]

Festive seasons are characterized by celebrations with lots of food and drinks. However, not all types and proportions of food and drinks are healthy.

A nutritionist at the Federal College of Agricultural Produce Technology, Kano, Najib Ahmad Panda, said that eating healthy is paramount during festive seasons such as Christmas and New Year celebrations.

He said “Many people tend to consume unhealthy foods, which might cause a lot of health issues. Therefore, eating healthy foods during this period will improve health and overall wellbeing.”

He gave the following healthy eating tips as people dine and wine this Christmas.

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“Eat a diet rich in vegetables, whole grains (brown rice, whole wheat, corn, whole sorghum, millet, oats, etc) fruits, and pulses.

Vegetable groups should be consumed at least 3 – 5 servings per day.

Drink mostly water and unsweetened drinks.

Fruits group should be consumed at least 2 – 4 servings per day.

 Meat, poultry, fish, egg, and nut groups should be consumed at least 2 – 3 servings per day,” he said.

He said there is also a need to eat healthy proportions.

Panda said, “One serving of vegetables is one cup of raw vegetables or 1/2 cup of boiled vegetables.

One serving of fruits is medium-sized fruit

One serving of protein group is one egg, 30 grams of meat, and fish.”

He also said people should limit “Taking processed foods, food that is high in fats (Tran’s fats and saturated fats) and sugar, alcohol, junk foods, and food that is high in salt, etc. as they might cause different kinds of health problems.”

He advised that “One can still have a pleasant and healthy Christmas celebration even when dos and don’ts are strictly adhered to. Therefore, people should ensure they consume all food groups in the right proportion, that is, the appropriate serving sizes.”