Low-calorie winter meals instead of heavy food

Low-calorie winter meals instead of heavy food

27/12/2014

In winter, many people in Germany have heavy food on the menu. On the one hand, some people think that they can tolerate more calories in the cold and freezing weather and, on the other hand, there are numerous delicacies, especially during the Christmas season, that make you gain weight quickly. But there are also low calorie winter dishes that taste great.

Heavy food in winter does not have to be
Heavy food has a long tradition in winter. Some people may think that the body can tolerate more calories in the cold and freezing anyway. But especially the high-calorie meals at Christmas time provide extra pounds, high blood lipid levels and high cholesterol levels. Christmas stollen, mulled wine, Christmas goose and baked apples: only a few manage to get through the holidays without feeling bloated. So if you want to avoid complaints that may arise through the delicacy, such as heartburn, bloating or stomach pressure, should better resort to light low-calorie winter dishes. Ingredients that contain less fat and carbohydrates and light forms of preparation create variety and good health.

Combine vegetables with winter salads
According to a news agency dpa, two basic rules help in the selection of ingredients. On the one hand, those that are rich in vitamins and minerals are regularly on the table, even in large quantities. And on the other hand, fat and carbohydrate-containing foods are used judiciously. „In addition to the cabbage species also have crisp carrots and beetroot season. Both are great for fresh salads“, explained Anke Hennig, who teaches at the Volkshochschule Hamburg, to the agency. The trainer likes to combine the different vegetables with winter salads and especially with citrus fruits: „They always bring a lively and fresh note.“

Prepare nutritious legumes properly
Typical winter ingredients include nutritious legumes. These come especially in stew, as a salad or as a patty on the table. Legumes such as lentils or peas are among the less digestible foods, but can be prepared so that they are not difficult in the stomach. „This starts with the choice of the legume: Small, orange lentils or Swabian mountain lenses contain significantly less pulp than large, thick beans, and can be prepared without much soaking“, explained Daniela Kluthe-Neis of the German society of qualified nutrition therapists and nutritionists according to dpa. The expert recommends adding some sodium bicarbonate to the cooking water. To stimulate digestion, spices such as marjoram and oregano are also suitable. These stimulate the work of bile and liver with their essential oils, bitter and tannins.

Take into account fat content and portion size
For meat, portion size and fat content should be considered. „In many dishes high fat meat can be replaced by leaner meat“, says Anke Hennig. You should better avoid breading or mayonnaise and other high-fat ingredients exchange is a good motto: „Depending on the recipe, cream can be replaced, at least in part, with milk or soy cream“, Dietitian Kluthe-Neis. „If the dish is not heated much, also goes ten percent sour cream.“

Replace summer with winter vegetables
Star chef Alexander Herrmann from Wirsberg in Bavaria explained: „Personally, I replace the summer vegetables in my kitchen with the winter vegetables, but then prepare them just as I do with summer vegetables.“ Although red cabbage, white cabbage or savoy cabbage are traditionally cooked for a long time in German cuisine and thus have a certain severity, there are also other options: „Red cabbage can be wonderfully cut into fine strips to fry relatively quickly. Then it gets a lot crisper on the table and is also perceived as lighter.“

Combination of light and heavy ingredients
You have already gained a lot by combining heavy ingredients with light ones and preparing them accordingly. „There are many dishes that we eat mainly in winter. They are quite legitimate and should not be demonized“, so star chef Herrmann. The total dose is reduced enormously if, for example, the duck precedes a broth rather than a cream soup and instead of a mousse au chocolat a citrus salad follows. If you need ideas for light or vegetarian recipes, you can find them on numerous websites. (Ad)

Picture: twinlili