There are many seasonal superfoods that you can include in this years menu. Embrace the flavours of Christmas with a deep dive into the nutritional powerhouses that elevate your festive feast! From the vibrant benefits of cherries—bursting with antioxidants—to the health advantages of savoring prawns, discover how these seasonal superfoods not only delight your taste buds but also bolster your well-being.
Uncover the spice-filled secrets of cinnamon and cloves, and explore the nutrient-rich profile of the quintessential Christmas centerpiece: turkey. Get ready to indulge intelligently this holiday season.
Read on as we discuss the benefits of some of the seasonal superfoods this time of year!
Cherries
Cherries, with their deep red colour, often symbolize the holiday season’s colours and themes. Whether you are incorporating them into a cherry trifle, pavlova, Christmas pudding or just want to have them as a snack between meals – there are many reasons why you should!
They are nutrient rich and contain plenty of vitamins especially Vitamin C and potassium. These help your immune system remain healthy and stay free of colds and flus. Antioxidants are also present to help fight inflammation and stress in the body. The potassium and antioxidant content may also lower the risk of heart disease in the body.
Melatonin is present in cherries which helps to regulate sleep patterns and improve sleep quality. Exactly what may be needed after some late Christmas party nights!
Prawns
Prawns are in my opinion the tastiest fish. They also have many more benefits that are worth knowing as you pop them on the barbie this Christmas season.
Low calorie AND high protein, what more could you want?!
They are also packed with essential nutrients such as vitamin B12, phosphorus and iodine which all play important roles in maintaining overall health. Selenium acts as an antioxidant and supports immune function. Prawns are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids which can help to reduce inflammation, lower the risk of heart health and support brain health.
The pink colour of prawns is due to the strong antioxidant astaxanthin which help to protect the bodies cells from damage caused by free radicals – a fun fact you can share with family at the Christmas lunch!
Spices
Who doesn’t associate the smell of cinnamon with the festive period due every ‘night before Christmas’ candle ever. Cinnamon is not just a yummy spice often added to Christmas dishes, it also contains many health benefits. Anti-inflammatory effects and can again be seen to reduce the risk of disease and lower inflammation in the body.
Polyphenols are abundant in cinnamon which act as antioxidants. It also helps to improve circulation and provide better blood sugar control. Traditionally, cinnamon has been used for its antimicrobial abilities to fight viruses and fungi.
As well as this cinnamon can help with smooth digestion and reduced bloating. My personal favourite is adding it to my overnight oats with some apple! Cloves are another spice that is often associated with Christmas.
A study which compared cloves with over 1,100 other foods found it to have three times the antioxidants of the next highest source which was dried oregano. Like cinnamon, cloves are also a natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent with antifungal properties. A compound found in cloves have found it to be 29 times more powerful than aspirin at preventing blood clots.
If that’s not enough reason to add them to the honey glazed ham then I don’t know what is!
Turkey
For me, a Christmas would not be complete without the main event – the turkey. Turkey is a source of lean protein which we should know by now is essential for the building and repair of muscle tissues. It also has substantially less fat than other meats making it a perfect choice at Christmas time (to make room for the cheesy garlic potatoes of course).
Turkey is nutrient rich and is packed with essential nutrients like B vitamins, phosphorus selenium and zinc which together aid metabolism, immune function and overall health. Finishing on another fun fact – turkey contains tryptophan which is an amino acid which the body uses to produce serotonin that contributes to mood regulation and relaxation. This may contribute to the lethargic feelings after the big Christmas roast!
Seasonal Superfoods Summary
The best part of Christmas is sharing a meal with family and friends. As food is seen as part of the celebration it is definitely not something to feel guilty about.
By incorporating some of these seasonal superfoods mentioned above into a diet also filled with fruit veg and lean protein, you can still enjoy the treats and drinks and pies knowing you are still being provided with many health benefits. Have a fun, healthy and tasty festive season!
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