If you’re in the habit of counting calories, Christmas can be a difficult time to keep your target on track. As it’s the season of buffet tables and party celebrations, temptation is lurking around every corner. However, I do believe we shouldn’t deny ourselves a slice of cake if that’s what we yearn for, and we can always start afresh the next day.
Even if we have over-indulged on an evening out, it’s important not to skip any meals the next day to make up for those extra calories consumed. Instead eat plenty of nutrient-rich foods, which will set us back on the right track.
However, if it’s not our waistline that’s keeping us away from the cream buns but an actual medical condition, then the best practice is to completely avoid tucking into the less-than-healthy treats and desserts.
Healthy desserts
It is Christmas after all, so indulging on some sort of delicious delicacies is a must, therefore some forward planning needs to be in place while taking care of our health and wellbeing. Desserts and sweet treats are the greatest temptation, as traditionally there are few guilt-free options. However, not all desserts need to be cream or sugar-laden to be delicious, and with the inclusion of a few fresh, seasonal ingredients, some desserts can actually be good for our health.
Some of my favourite wintertime desserts are those that include poached fruit. Any stoned fruit, such as plums, peaches, nectarines and apricots, will poach perfectly in a little water or fruit juice. Lacing the poaching liquid with vanilla and spices adds a seasonal touch to this fruity dessert.
Substitutes
A good-quality, thick natural or Greek yoghurt works well as a cream substitute in most dishes. Choose live yogurts that have naturally occurring probiotics, which will boost the good bacteria in your tummy.
Honey can also be used as a substitute to sugar in many recipes, adding the numerous health benefits honey can offer.
This deliciously refreshing sorbet works well as a light dessert after a heavy meal. Many different frozen fruits can be transformed into a sorbet, but I chose raspberries as the deep, red colour of the sorbet with a sprinkling of jewel-like pomegranates is perfectly placed at any Christmas feast.
Rasberry sorbet
500g raspberries
Squeeze of lemon juice
3 tbsp honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
60ml hot water
Pomegranate seeds
Mint leaves
Spiced plum fool
Even though this is a chilled dessert, the spiced plum compote somehow makes it taste warm and spicy. Once the fool is assembled, serve immediately as the yogurt will begin to sink in the glass and the pistachios will start to soften. The plum compote itself can be made in advance as it keeps well in the fridge for up to five days.
900g plums
1tbsp honey
Zest and juice of one orange
100ml water
1 tsp ground cinnamon
4 cardamon pods, slightly crushed
2 cloves
1 vanilla pod
500g Greek yogurt
1 tbsp honey
100g pistachios, de-shelled and roughly chopped