The Mediterranean Diet during Christmas Holidays
Italian cuisine offers a plethora of dishes during Christmas. From the agnolotti and ravioli of the north, to the seafood spaghetti of the southern regions, passing through the cod-based dishes present throughout the peninsula. Many of these traditional dishes are in line with the Mediterranean diet, but no one will spare themselves from the excess calories!
The Christmas Eve dinner is a feast of fish and shellfish, as well as seasonal vegetables of all kinds: Lazio broccoli, the cabbage protagonist of Neapolitan "reinforcement" salad, Molise cardoon soup, or Friulian turnips. Vegetables are found in various forms, as side dishes, appetizers, and even as fillings for pasta, such as in the case of pumpkin tortelli.
On Christmas Day, the prevalence of dishes will be meat, in accordance with tradition. Meat broths (more or less fatty) and soups or stews with vegetables are inevitable.
On Italian tables, from north to south, oily dried fruits are always present: walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, and fresh fruit, perhaps artistically cut for the occasion. In southern regions, it is not uncommon to serve salads based on fresh oranges, fennel, or even onions.
The main food, even during the holidays, remains extra virgin olive oil, which seasons 90% of our dishes. And a glass of good wine with a meal, preferably red to have the good excuse of antioxidants, cannot be missing.
Since the period will be very rich in calories, let's at least focus on the quality and choice of foods we put on the table. We have plenty of variety, from south to north.
Be careful not to overdo it with fried foods and sweets! But since it's impossible to resist artisanal panettone or Sicilian sweets, we just have to engage in physical activity every day. I recommend taking no less than 6000 steps daily or continuing to practice your favorite sport even during these days, at least 3 times a week.
The Mediterranean table is rich, yet modest, made up of simple foods and dishes from the land or sea, with a fundamental element being conviviality. Without excesses and without (too much!) waste.
Happy holidays,
Dr. Concetta Mauriello
