Summer is always the perfect time to catch up with our family and friends, relax, and enjoy great food in great company – especially with Christmas right around the corner. But with good food and good drinks flowing freely, we might overindulge and it can be all too easy to find ourselves ending our summer carrying a few extra kilos. Fortunately, with a little pre-planning, that doesn’t have to be the case! You can still enjoy summer BBQs and Christmas get-togethers by making a few simple healthy changes.
Nibblies
Usually when you get together with your loved ones for a summer wining and dining session, there’ll be a pre-meal spread. While we know it’s tempting, try to avoid filling yourself up with the chips, cheese, and biscuits that are often on offer before the main meal. As delicious as these are, they’re largely if not completely empty calories – and they’ll prevent you from fully enjoying the main course later! If you’re planning to put together your own spread, consider including healthier options such as veggie sticks with hummus and tzatziki, fruit platters, unsalted nuts, and wholegrain crackers.
Click here for our Muhammara Dip with Syrian Flatbread recipe!
Alléz cuisine!
When you’re planning your main course, there’s a few simple alterations you can make to help improve the overall health factor of your meal!
For your green options, consider swapping creamy potato or pasta salads for a lighter style of salad without dressings, bulked up with plenty of fresh vegetables.
Potato bakes are usually very high in saturated fats due to the added cream, cheese, and bacon. Instead, consider serving whole baked potatoes alongside other vegetable side dishes so your guests can load up their plates with low-kilojoule and high-fibre choices.
We know that the tradition of the Christmas BBQ is sacrosanct, but consider sticking to healthier cuts of meat such as lean beef, lamb, pork, chicken, turkey, or seafood for your summer BBQ this year.
Click here for our recipe for Spanish Prawn & Chorizo Skewers, served with Ajo Blanca.
Just desserts
They say you can’t have your cake and eat it too, and unfortunately that’s the case when it comes to enjoying both desserts and a healthy lifestyle. We understand that it just wouldn’t be summer without cooling desserts and a pavlova (or two!), and sweetened treats like rum balls and mince pies are at the heart of the Australian Christmas tradition. Where possible, aim to keep your serving sizes small and seconds to a minimum.
Click here for our Homemade Christmas Fruit Mince Pies recipe!
In vino veritas
Alcohol is very high in ‘empty calories’, meaning it provides us with plenty of calories that possess no nutritional value. It’s all too easy to overindulge on alcohol, especially during long lunches or when a courteous host generously offers another drink. Aim to alternate your favourite drink with a glass of sparkling or tap water, and it’ll both keep you hydrated and keep the calorie count down.
Cater Care’s wellbeing programs
Research has clearly demonstrated that eating well and keeping fit are extremely beneficial when it comes to maintaining a sound mental, physical, and emotional life balance. To help our residents achieve harmony in all areas of their lives,we operate a series of health and wellbeing programs. The RISE Health & Lifestyle program and its major pillar of RISE Healthy Eating provides a solid basis of nutrition for our Remote sector, and gather’s Healthy Eating program provides nutrition tailored to supporting the growth and wellbeing of children and young adults. All of our Aged Care offerings are designed in line with the Australian Guidelines To Healthy Eating, and receive bespoke support from our in-house dietitians to help meet the specific needs of residents.
Maintaining a positive nutritional intake over the holiday season can be challenging, but that doesn’t mean it’s hopeless by any stretch! Cater Care’s dedication to fresh, healthy, and delicious foods means that we’ll be working round the clock this summer to deliver high quality foods to our residents throughout all stages of the sunshine season. If you’re interested in learning more about how we can help you step up your catering game, then get in touch with one of our experts with the details below.
For Aged Care:
Jonathan Storer
Client Development Manager – Cater Care
Ph: 0424 175 949
jonathan.storer@catercare.com.au
For Education:
David O’Brien
Client Development Manager – gather by Cater Care
Ph: 0424 190 566
For Remote in Western Australia:
Brad Walther
Client Development Manager
bradley.walther@catercare.com.au
For Remote in all other States & Territories:
Hayley Steyn
Senior Client Development Manager
