Christmas 2024: water, raw vegetables… how to make your Christmas Eve meal lighter and easier to digest ?

The Christmas meal is often synonymous with excess of all kinds, including sugars, salt, fats, and alcohol. While there is no question of depriving yourself during this moment of sharing, with dishes that we sometimes only eat at this time of year, it is however possible to replace certain foods and ingredients with others in order to make this meal healthier, and the next days… less difficult.

Food poisoning, indigestion, hangovers, or even liver problems, festive meals are often highly anticipated and highly appreciated, but the day after can also be very difficult. The cause ? The many excesses induced by this kind of feast which generally drags on with a profusion of dishes and alcohols as diverse as they are varied. And the multiplication of these gargantuan meals, on December 24 and 25, then December 31 and January 1, at best, generally only makes things worse if reflexes are not taken upstream, during, and after, these moments of sharing.

Water, the base

Of course, there is no question of imposing water on all guests during the traditional Christmas meal, although it remains essential. But it is important to hydrate to avoid certain unpleasantness when waking up, and – contrary to what one might think – not only to fight against the hangover. Water not only helps digestion, an important point for this kind of event, but also promotes the absorption of nutrients, reduces the risk of dehydration, and controls the appetite. We tend to forget it, but water helps control hunger, and therefore eat less at mealtimes, not to mention that it can replace a glass of alcohol here and there throughout the evening.

The best thing is to drink plenty of it before the meal, to alternate alcohol and water during the meal if necessary, and to drink plenty again afterwards. It should also be noted that while Champagne and other festive sparkling wines are essential at Christmas, non-alcoholic cocktails and wines are increasingly popular, which can also help you avoid a lot of trouble. It should also be noted that, if you have to choose between alcohol and… alcohol, you should opt for wine and bubbles, whatever they may be, over alcoholic cocktails, which are often sweeter.

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Raw vegetables as an aperitif

For some, it is unthinkable to eat vegetables, in any form, during this festive evening. However, they also make a meal much healthier and lighter. Why not offer them at aperitif time, a time when stomachs are warming up and guests generally tend to snack frantically. As a host, it is quite possible to opt for a limited quantity of food for the aperitif in order to avoid excess, but vegetables allow you not to deprive yourself, and even to fill up, without having to regret.

In this case, it is better to opt for raw vegetables: carrots, cucumbers, radishes, celery, cherry tomatoes, cauliflower, among others, to serve with dips as light as possible, such as hummus, guacamole, tzatziki, tapenade, or – better – fromage blanc garnished with herbs and lemon. As an alternative to salty snacks, why not offer dried fruits, much healthier and lighter, before starting the Christmas feast ? A good alternative since they are also full of health benefits.

Choosing is giving up

It's hard to deprive yourself of the various Christmas dishes, especially when all the guests are enjoying them, but sometimes you have to know how to choose, especially when you know that you have a fragile stomach – or liver. In any case – if possible – you should avoid too many foods rich in saturated fats. In this respect, it may be appropriate to choose between foie gras and smoked salmon, in favor of the latter. Smoked salmon is also a source of saturated fats, but in lower levels than foie gras, and it should be added that salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are particularly good for heart health.

For a balanced meal, it is also better to prefer lean proteins, such as turkey or chicken (without skin), which are also lower in fat, rather than meats such as duck. All accompanied, if possible, by grilled or steamed vegetables. If you are going to prepare the meal, it could also be wise to replace refined sugars with unrefined sugars – logical – or natural alternatives such as honey, for example. In any case, it is important to take short breaks between each dish, and to chew well, in order to feel full more quickly.