Nutrition tips for your body this Christmas

Nutritionist Aisha Momoh-Dejih says it is important to have a healthy Christmas, as she shares her secrets for staying healthy at festive seasons. Eating healthy is very important at all times but at Christmas, given the excitement of having friends and family together, Aisha says. "It is Christmas, why not, one can loosen up, indulge […]

Nutritionist Aisha Momoh-Dejih says it is important to have a healthy Christmas, as she shares her secrets for staying healthy at festive seasons.

Eating healthy is very important at all times but at Christmas, given the excitement of having friends and family together, Aisha says.

"It is Christmas, why not, one can loosen up, indulge and have fun with friends but don’t overdo it.”

"Many Nigerians have diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure; some don’t even know, until their system breaks down. Over indulging at festive seasons may worsen your condition; eating healthy is the best way to stay alive without having to live the rest of your life on medication.”

As you plan your menu for the season, Aisha advises we do little of frying.  "I don’t encourage fried foods. If you must, fry with oils like sesame (beni seed), olive oil, sunflower oil and others, there are so many methods of cooking.”

Alternatively, she says, "You can boil, grill or poach your chicken, turkey or any of your choice, adding, "With the right spice and seasoning, it will taste delicious.”

She added that other sources of protein like beans, nuts, fish, eggs can be incorporated in our meals. “Vitamins, minerals and fibre are packed in fruits and vegetables; they should make up a big portion of our diet.”

Timing and portion control, she says should be considered as eating heavy at once, puts pressure on our digestive system.

“You can have too much of a good thing so, eat little at a time, it is better to eat five times a day than to combine and eat at once, because organs responsible for digestion can perform effectively with little at a time.

The importance of staying hydrated, she says can never be overemphasized. “We must keep hydrating ourselves even as we enjoy Christmas. Water is important to the mechanics of the human body, all our organs depend on water to function.”

Going into the New Year, she said, “Adopting a healthy life style and healthy eating into the new year, will keep so many Nigerians out of the hospital in 2017.”