How Should a Healthy New Year's Table Look?

Start the New Year Right for a Healthy Year Ahead!

A brand-new year — one we hope will be even better than the last — is waiting for us! Of course, on this special day when we come together with our loved ones, family, and friends, delicious food will be right there alongside the lively conversation! Be careful not to get swept away by the magic of tasty food and overindulge. We have some truly special tips to help you stay fit on New Year's Eve and throughout the entire year!

1) Watch Out for Appetizers!: If you're hosting guests at your own home for New Year's, it's easy to take charge of the kitchen and create healthy, delicious options! Raw vegetable strips served with hummus, avocado canapés, and lettuce cups with yogurt dressing can all be fit-friendly alternatives to decorate your table. However, if you're dining out, controlling what's on the table may not be so simple. Since you'll be adding more calories as the night goes on, try to choose the most innocent options among the meze (small appetizer dishes) and salads as much as possible.

Mayonnaise-heavy, high-fat meze or appetizers can cause both digestive issues and unnecessary extra calories. Opt for salads packed with greens and low-fat olive oil-dressed dishes as much as possible. If you're serving yourself salad on a separate plate, make sure it comes without oil or dressing. But if the salad is brought out already dressed, you can serve yourself from the top layers of the bowl to avoid the oilier, saucier portions at the bottom. If your menu includes soup, you can start the meal with 1 ladle of a low-fat soup to ease digestion and fill your stomach in a healthy way.

2) While Enjoying the Main Course!: Of course, the star of the New Year's table is the holiday turkey! When eating turkey, try to stick to the leanest part — the breast — and make sure to eat it without the skin. Be careful not to overdo it on the meat; a portion about the size of your palm is enough. Since the stuffed rice pilaf (iç pilav) is typically prepared with a generous amount of fat, try not to exceed 3-4 tablespoons.

3) Drinks: Since your carbohydrate and fat intake will already be higher on New Year's Eve, try to keep your drinks as balanced as possible. Those who don't drink alcohol can opt for alternatives like sparkling water with lemon alongside their meal, while for those who do drink, 1–2 glasses of wine will be the most suitable option. If you'd like to continue drinking, you can politely decline the desserts and fruits offered after the meal and allow yourself a little more to drink. If you're on the fence about whether to have another drink, add a splash of soda to your glass — this way you can make your drink last longer and decide whether you truly want a second one.

4) Desserts, Fruits, and Nuts: The nuts, desserts, and fruits offered toward the end of the evening may look incredibly tempting. However, if you want to enter the new year in shape, you need to strike a good balance among them and turn down at least one. On New Year's Eve, you can pair 2 servings of fruit with 10 nuts such as hazelnuts or almonds, or have 1 serving of a milk-based dessert, or wrap up your evening with 1 thin slice of fresh cream cake (try to leave the cream aside). Remember — the more calories you add toward the end of the night, the more likely you are to face digestive problems and bloating.