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Nutritional festivities – the significance of traditional cuisine and how to avoid harm
Table of Contents
1. The Significance of Traditional Cuisine
Food plays a significant role in many people's lives. For some, it is a source of joy, for others a way to release emotions or celebrate achievement. It is important to remember that what we eat is also important. Often food is an expression of our views or beliefs. Moreover, food can evoke various emotions, from pleasure to disgust. Some dishes are well connected, others a little less. Certain types of food are also characteristic of a region or country. It can also be significant what we eat. According to an article from 2015, traditional cuisine is based on beliefs, ideas, history, and religious values. It has strong roots in our culture. For instance, the Polish culinary tradition includes 12 Christmas dishes of a fasting character. To prepare for Christmas, the church encourages restraint from meat-based foods, and 12 dishes are prepared from agricultural products. Each component has its symbolic meaning, for example, poppy seeds symbolize wealth. A study from 2015 shows that knowledge about Easter and Christmas dishes is high, which indicates a strong attachment to the Polish tradition. The survey participants had no difficulty in identifying the most characteristic dishes and their symbolic meaning. Overall, traditional cuisine has immense significance and not only reproduces patterns but is an expression of deeper convictions based on religion and history.2. Reasons for a dietary change
Introducing new foods can be about raising awareness about food, the desire to experiment and learn about new flavors, or the emergence of diet-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes. Regardless of the reason, it's important to maintain a healthy mind and make all changes gradually. If the cause of culinary experiments is illness, seek knowledge from experts in the field. Not necessarily what's on a person's website is beneficial for us. First, depending on the illness, avoid the products that are most harmful. Second, look for healthier alternatives to what is most effective. For example, sweet yogurt can be replaced with natural yogurt, fresh fruits, and, for example, date syrup or honey. Third, it's easier to make changes in pairs. Mutual encouragement can bring spectacular results. Fourth, don't give up! Everyone has moments of weakness, but persistence and striving for the goal are what matter most. The time that can be difficult for those who want to lose weight or follow a specific diet is the holiday season. During this time, large amounts of food are prepared, which is not always healthy. However, this can be changed by using healthier alternatives in traditional dishes. Although it may seem difficult, it is not.3. It's a diet holiday
First of all, it is worth noting that the holiday season for many people is an extremely demanding time. So if we want to reserve healthy meals, we want them to be processed beforehand. The hosts want to show their best, they take care of the order in the house, the beautiful decoration in the garden, and the dishes that will be appreciated even by the most demanding guests. All this causes excessive underenergy and haste. This atmosphere is certainly not conducive to experimenting in the kitchen.4. Healthy holidays in practice - Balanced approach to culinary traditions
Making the decision to modify traditional dishes is a challenge, and not everyone is able to do it. Firstly, it is worth avoiding deep-fat foods, including fish fats, as this method of preparation can increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. However, from a health perspective, it is of great value to introduce valuable changes. This type of meals provides a lot of calories and can lead to a feeling of overweight. A study from 2013 showed that deep-fried foods, including fish, can increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. Two years later, an interesting conclusion was drawn that this method of preparing meals increases the amount of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the air, which are harmful to health. They are considered strong mutagenic and carcinogenic factors. Instead of breaded carp, you can prepare its baked version. Another option is to combine traditional products with healthier alternatives. This means that if we prepare a dressing for a salad, it is worth mixing mayonnaise with natural yogurt, and replace part of the wheat flour with e.g. spelt flour type 700. The difference in taste will be minimal, but the benefits for the (and during the holidays overused) digestive system will be significant.5. A holiday without restrictions
During the holiday season, it's worth remembering two significant aspects. The first is moderation. Even the healthiest foods consumed in large quantities can contribute to a decline in health or the appearance of excess weight. It's advisable to focus on one, medium-sized serving of cheesecake and savor its flavor. The nutritionists recommend slow eating, allowing the signal from the stomach to reach the brain and inform that the body is already fed. This way, one can avoid the unpleasant feeling of overeating. Drinking water or other healthy beverages (juices, teas) can also help speed up metabolism. The second significant aspect is physical activity. Holidays are not conducive to strenuous workouts or competitive sports. It's time for relaxation and rest. However, after a hearty lunch or breakfast, it's worth finding the willpower and going for a walk. This will improve well-being and speed up metabolism. It's worth noting, however, that the walk should be taken at a brisk pace and last for about 30-40 minutes.6. Holiday season advice
To prevent the holiday season from concluding with feelings of guilt and excess weight, consider implementing several recommendations: opt for foods rich in dietary fiber, persuade loved ones to join a walk or snowball fight, avoid constantly sitting at a lavishly set table, ensure proper hydration, maintain moderation, and favor reaching for fruit instead of frequently indulging in cake pieces.7. Conclusions
In summary, if we care about our health (and that of our loved ones), it's worth attempting to make small modifications to traditional Christmas dishes. However, we should bear in mind that these changes should be carefully considered, not disrupt the taste of the original meals. It's worth trying out a few recipes before the holidays. Experimenting with unknown ingredients under the pressure of time always ends in failure. It's also important to remember that this is a special time, and even consuming a bit less healthy food once a year should not result in negative health consequences.
