Medical Edge Newspaper Column

Holiday Eating

Dec. 10, 2006
READERS:
Holiday eating doesn't have to mean overeating. Here are some tips to lighten your holiday meal, to cut the calories while still enjoying sumptuous dining:

Turkey: Roast the turkey on a rack so that fat drips through and the meat doesn't reabsorb the drippings.

Stuffing: Bake the stuffing in a separate covered dish. (Stuffing inside the turkey absorbs fat.) Use less oil, butter or margarine when sautéing the onions and celery or use low-fat chicken broth instead.

Gravy: Skim fat from the top of the turkey drippings or use a fat separator.

Mashed potatoes: Skip the butter when you mash potatoes. Instead, use skim milk or low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth.

Pie: With most baked goods, you can reduce by half the sugar in a recipe. Use skim or low-fat dairy products in place of whole milk products. You can use two eggs whites instead of a whole egg, without affecting texture or taste.