Our advice for sugar-free but delicious celebrations

What makes the holidays a long-awaited moment, apart from the pleasure of meeting loved ones, is the idea that we will be able to treat ourselves and share gourmet and delicious meals. In fact, this period can be quite frustrating for people trying to avoid gaining weight or avoiding excess weight for other health reasons. Especially since the conversation during meals often revolves around food!

So if you have recently started a diet, a ketogenic or low carb diet or if this year you have decided not to indulge too much in temptation, the advice in this article is intended for you.

Talk to loved ones

It will be useful to prepare what you are going to say to your loved ones about this decision. Being clear with them and especially with yourself will save you the guilt when you are invited and offered treats. Once your choice has been clearly explained, your loved ones will no longer suggest that you eat foods that are incompatible with your new lifestyle. It will also be an opportunity to plant a little seed in their minds regarding our eating habits and the high sugar consumption (and in particular sugars hidden in processed foods as well as in starchy foods) that they encourage.

Fight cravings without getting frustrated

What if we improved the quality of food without worrying about quantities or calories? This seems to be best suited for the holidays. If you decide to drastically reduce sugars, then do not make the mistake of reducing other macronutrients (proteins and fats) at the risk of starving yourself, which would be counterproductive as evidenced by the yo-yo effect caused by all diets.

In a low-carb diet, fat takes over to provide fuel for the body. So we don’t skimp on quantities and we have fun.

We also recommend avoiding skipping the meal before Christmas Eve and instead skipping the next one.

Some tips for freeing yourself from sugars

Overcoming the critical aperitif moment

Toasts, chips, aperitif biscuits, industrial spreads… Who introduced these unhealthy and ultra-processed aperitifs when much better alternatives, both in taste and health, exist? Here are some ideas for healthy, low-sugar aperitifs: oilseeds (roasted with soy sauce for example), seafood, homemade seafood spreads, vegetable chips, raw vegetables, olives, guacamole, vegetable toasts, etc.

Consume (in moderation) low-sugar drinks

Be careful with fruit juices, these drinks are almost as rich in sugar as a classic soda! However, rest assured, during the holidays you will not be forced to only drink water, even sparkling water. Low-sugar drinks exist, in versions with or without alcohol:

Starchy foods as an accompaniment? No, thank you.

No more duchess potatoes (or make them using cauliflower puree as a base), risotto or pasta… To avoid consuming too many carbohydrates as an accompaniment, dress the meat or fish dish with the greenest vegetables possible (spinach, chard, salads, endives, zucchini, cabbage, broccoli, eggplant, asparagus, cucumber, radish, celery, mushrooms, watercress, vegetables). lacto-fermented foods, seaweed, celery root, turnip, certain squash, green beans). But the sauce, provided it is not made with flour, can be consumed without moderation.

Arm yourself with low-sugar treats

Nice surprise: all the treats that sugar addicts love exist in keto or low carb versions. Before leaving, make them or offer them to your guests. Here are some of them:

• Keto coconut truffles
• Lemon & raspberry Christmas log
• Chocolate truffles and hazelnut center
• Gingerbread keto

What about fruit salad with a “healthy” image?

After avoiding starchy side dishes, sodas as aperitifs and sweet chocolates for dessert, then yes, we can enjoy a little fruit salad! But on one condition: that it is without added sugar. Adding spices will make it even better. Star anise and cinnamon work well, as does mint.