Tips for a healthier reunion dinner

Whether you’re celebrating Chinese New Year  with family or friends this year, one thing’s for sure, no Lunar New Year is complete without a reunion dinner. All the better if it’s home-cooked with lots of love. Keep these easy tips in mind for a healthier spread for your family:

1. Steam your fish

Steaming fish retains its natural flavour and works best with fresh, white fish. Try Cantonese or Teochew style steamed fish recipes, they are quick and easy to prepare, taste delicious and are low in calories!

2. Choose lean meat and skinless poultry

Select lean cuts of meat and remove the skin and fat from poultry before cooking. This will help to reduce your intake of saturated fat.

3. Use natural herbs and spices

Challenge your culinary chops by using natural herbs and spices to add flavour to your food. If you’re pressed for time and using pre-made sauces and seasonings, select those with the Healthier Choice Symbol on them, as pre-made seasonings can be hidden sources of high sodium.

4. Add colour to your dishes

Use a variety of vegetables to add some colour to your dish and encourage increased dietary fibre intake. Studies have shown that bright colours (red, green, yellow and orange) have a positive effect on appetite and make food seem more appealing. Use vegetables such as carrots, spinach, bell peppers, squash, zucchini, tomatoes etc.

 

5. Get creative with dessert

We’ll confess. Dessert is our weakness too! There’s nothing quite like an indulgent dessert to end off a good meal. The good news is that a delectable dessert doesn’t have to be loaded with empty calories. You can impress your friends and family with this pretty yet healthy  homemade mango chia pudding that will keep them asking for more. It looks so divide, no one would guess it takes only 10 mins to prepare!

 

Photo credit: Healthier Steps

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