GET HEALTHY @ NSRCC
MAKING HEALTHY CHOICES DURING THE CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS
CLUB HAPPENINGS 9
Keeping to a balanced diet during Chinese New Year can be challenging but it ’ s possible . Here are some tips on how you can fully enjoy the festivities while keeping to healthy lifestyle choices .
1 . Buy Healthier Chinese New Year Goodies Most traditional Chinese New Year goodies are high in sugar and fat , with very minimal nutritional value . Kickstart your New Year by making healthier choices such as choosing food with the healthier choice or healthier snack symbol . These foods contain lesser sugar , salt or fat . In addition , choose sugar-free sweets or auspicious dried fruit without added salt or sugar such as dried apricots or dried apple rings instead of highly sugared treats like chocolates and candies . Lastly , buy beverages that are sugar-free or with reduced sugar .
2 . Prepare a Healthy Reunion Dinner Here are some tips to prepare a healthy reunion dinner :
- Include vegetable dishes to add nutrients and beneficial phytochemicals for the health of the family .
- Include a fish dish to benefit your heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease .
- Choose lean meat and skinless poultry that are healthier compared to fatty meat
- Choose wholegrains as they are rich in nutrients and fibre . for example , serve brown rice instead of white rice .
- Use sauces or marinades with healthier choice symbol as those are lower in salt and will reduce the sodium content of your dishes .
- Choose healthier cooking methods such as boiling , steaming , air frying , grilling or stir-frying with less oil to reduce the amount of fat used .
- Make healthier desserts . Create an auspicious Asian fruit salad with fresh mandarin oranges , pineapples , pomelo and / or dragon fruit .
3 . Eat a Healthier Yu Sheng Yu Sheng is eaten during the Lunar New Year to signify an increase in abundance . Ironically , it is also true in terms of calories as a typical serving of Yu Sheng has similar calories to a main meal . The bulk of the calories from Yu Sheng comes from the oil and plum sauce added while vegetables and raw fish are relatively low in calories . However , it is important to take note of food safety when serving raw fish , as well as individuals who should avoid consuming them such as pregnant ladies . Yu Sheng can be made healthier by making simple modifications such as asking for less oil , less sauce and pickles , less flour crisps ( golden pillow ) and more vegetables .
Source : https :// www . healthhub . sg / live-healthy / 194 / spring _ to _ health _ CNY