Healthy Holiday Beverages

IT’S CHRISTMAS AGAIN… and Christmas time represents family, fellowship, food and fun.  This year will be no different for many of us, and of course, there is always the temptation to over indulge.  Children are always a big part of Christmas festivities and while we want them to have a Merry Christmas and make many memories we also want them to stay healthy.  Depending on your family favourites and your holiday traditions the drinks our children will consume this Christmas will range from sorrel to hot cocoa with marshmallows, ‘chawkit’ tea and everything in between.

SORREL is a good source of Vitamin C & flavonoids, provide powerful antioxidants that helps to improve the body’s immune system

COCOA is also high in antioxidants and provides important vitamins & minerals, so drink up & enjoy.

Keep in mind the importance of good nutrition along with portion control. There is always the temptation to over- indulge when celebrating, especially with children who are free and happy. Parents need to be aware of this and make adjustments to some of our traditional recipes, for example use:

• low-fat milk or nut milk in place of whole milk in Eggnog; Ponche Creme or Cocoa Tea
• fresh fruits in place of can or bottle juices.

Portion control is also important. Use a smaller “Christmas” cup so that your child will not feel cheated. Try this trick on yourself! Offer a serving of

• 4 ozs or 1/2 cup of hot cocoa and
• 6 oz – 8 oz of sorrel

during the day depending on the age of the child.

Start a new Christmas tradition in your kitchen. Let your child help to make these two fruit smoothies It will be FUN and they will also enjoy drinking them.

 Cherry Banana Smoothie

1 ripe Banana

1 cup low-fat milk or nut milk

2  maraschino cherries ( to give color & taste)

Blend, serve with crushed ice.

Sparkling Pineapple Yoghurt Smoothie

2 slices pineapple

1 cup low-fat milk

1/2 cup Cherry yoghurt or ice-cream

Blend, then

Add sparking water and serve cold.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS  

From your Nutritionists: Enid & Kerry