Top 10 Christmas Foods That Are Good For Your Health

Christmas is around the corner and it is time for celebrations. Music, dance, party, gifts, and good food, are all waiting for you this festive period. How about considering healthy Christmas foods on the table, this Christmas? Here are the top 10 Christmas foods that are good for your health.

When we think of Christmas, we think about eating delicious foods and desserts. Research conducted by “Associated British Foods”, has found that the average person consumes more than 7, 000 calories on the day of Christmas. That is more than thrice the recommended daily calorie intake by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.⁽¹⁾

If you are diet-conscious and want to know about the healthy Christmas foods to be added to your Christmas table this festive season, then read further to know about them.

1. Brussels Sprouts

   Brussels sprouts are one of the healthiest foods that can be served on Christmas. These are cruciferous vegetables containing cancer-fighting compounds and are associated with a reduced risk of different types of cancer.

   Brussels sprouts are a great source of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that aids in promoting the absorption of iron and is also known to help with tissue repair and improve the functioning of the immune system.⁽²⁾

   Moreover, they are also loaded with vitamin K, which is required for blood clotting and benefits your bone health.⁽²⁾ They are extremely low in calories and contain minimal amounts of fat.

   Brussels sprouts should be properly cooked which would make your Christmas even better.

2. Chestnuts

   Chestnuts are also brilliant Christmas foods and are packed with skin-enhancing and heart health-improving fatty acids.

   They have antioxidants like ellagic and gallic acid. Studies have shown that these antioxidants found in chestnuts could help in protecting your heart against oxidative stress, which would instead increase the risk of heart disease and strokes.^{(3, 4)}

   Chestnuts are also high in potassium content and offer 11% of your daily potassium requirements. Potassium is essential for the healthy functioning of your heart and also helps in regulating blood pressure.^{(5, 6)}

3. Cranberry Sauce

   Cranberry sauce is one more healthy Christmas food and is known to be an excellent source of antioxidants that are great for enhancing liver health and also aid you to recover from the hangover of the Christmas party.

   Cranberries have a lot of antioxidants including proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, and quercetin, that might be essential for your heart health.^{(7, 8, 9, 10)}

   The best thing about Cranberry sauce is that they taste great and can make your Christmas feel great!

4. Turkey

   Turkey is mostly the centerpiece of a Christmas dinner. It is a type of poultry and has leaner and less fatty meat as compared with other meats. It is a wonderful source of protein and offers all the essential amino acids that we require for growth and repair. Turkey is also packed with Vitamins B3, B6, and Vitamin B12, which are essential for brain function, energy production, and the formation of blood cells.

   Moreover, due to the rich content of minerals like zinc, selenium, iron, and phosphorus, it can also benefit in supporting your thyroid function, bone health, and immunity.

   So, add this food to your Christmas table without feeling any guilt.

5. Braised Red Cabbage

   Red cabbage with apples is a sweet-and-sour traditional recipe that is often accompanied by a roast and served commonly as a side dish at Christmas dinner in the U.K., Germany, and across the globe.

   Red cabbage is a healthy Christmas food due to the presence of high levels of vitamin C that helps in battling illness during the festive season. The vitamin C content found in red cabbage strengthens your immune system by stimulating the production of WBCs that fight against infection and invading bacteria. So, you can add this amazing food to the list of healthy Christmas food.

6. Roasted Parsnip

   If you want to enjoy the Christmas party with heart and lung-healthy food then nothing could be better than roasted parsnip. The rich content of folate and potassium found in parsnip is highly beneficial for cardiovascular health. Due to the presence of folate in parsnip, it can also help in preventing osteoporosis, and dementia.

   Roasted parsnips are also known for their high vitamin C contents, which are essential for proper cell function, skin health, and improving the health of blood vessels, bones, and cartilages.

   The vitamin C content found in parsnips offers around 25% of your daily needs in one serving.⁽¹¹⁾

   Some other minerals found in this healthy Christmas food include copper, and also fiber.

7. Baked Potatoes

   Potatoes are one of the yummy foods that are famous during the Christmas season. You can have baked potatoes on your list while preparing the Christmas party menu.

   However, potatoes also taste delicious when they are boiled or steamed. They are an excellent source of starchy carbohydrates and potassium and are great for health.

8. Roasted Carrots

   Roasted carrots also come among the list of top 10 Christmas foods that are good for your health. They are extremely nutritious and also tasty.

   Carrots are mainly rich in beta-carotene, vitamin K1, fiber, antioxidants, and potassium.⁽¹²⁾ Presence of beta-carotene in carrots gives them orange color and it transforms into Vitamin A in our body that further plays a crucial role in keeping the immune system at its best, helping fight against diseases and infections.

   Carrots are also good for the skin and help in skin elasticity and give a natural young look.

9. Bread Rolls

   Bread rolls are also amongst the healthiest Chirstmas foods, which you consider having the wholegrain bread roll. The fiber content present in them supports the healthy functioning of your digestive system and also helps in balancing blood sugar levels.

10. Smoked Salmon

    Smoked salmon along with scrambled eggs make a great start to Christmas day. This is also among the top 10 Christmas foods that are good for your health.

    Smoked salmon contains a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids, and supplies combined 0.5 grams of EPA or eicosapentaenoic acid and DHA or docosahexaenoic acid per every 3.5 ounces or 100 grams of servings.⁽¹³⁾

    Eggs are also rich in protein and Vitamin B-12 and essential for the energy production required for that crisp Christmas morning run.

With enough tempting and healthy Christmas foods around us, eating on the Christmas Day could be fun and amazing. You should now get ready for the festive season and set your Christmas table with healthy Christmas foods.

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