Secrets to eating without gaining weight during Tet (Vietnamese New Year)

Tet means indulging in food and drink without worrying about work... which can sometimes lead to uncontrollable weight gain.

Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) means indulging in food and drink without worrying about work... which can sometimes lead to uncontrollable weight gain. So, what kind of nutritional "strategy" is needed to avoid the worry of weight gain during Tet?!

Changes in customs and traditions regarding the Tet holiday meal.

This is a difficult task for multi-generational families, but it's still possible if you're determined. Replace fatty pork sausage with slices of pork sausage, replace bamboo shoot soup with pork trotters soup with sour bamboo shoot soup with fish; or cook with only a few pork ribs; or replace it with a mixed vegetable soup containing fresh mushrooms, shrimp, and a few meatballs; or a green squash soup with shrimp; replace fried spring rolls with fresh spring rolls...

Wraps are both delicious and help control weight.

Besides replacing dishes, you should also reduce the number of dishes on the offering tray. It doesn't necessarily have to be "5 bowls and 7 plates" as before; 3-4 dishes will suffice. The offering tray for ancestors is primarily about the sincere devotion of descendants remembering their ancestors, not about a lavish feast. We shouldn't worry about a "simple" meal, but rather about a "simple" heart.

Make mindful food choices.

Normally during Tet (Vietnamese New Year), we focus on buying lots of meat, fish, chicken, duck, sausages, etc., but rarely buy vegetables. Now, let's do the opposite: buy more fruits and vegetables, reduce meat consumption, and increase shrimp, crab, and fish...

Some vegetables and fruits that aid in weight loss and are good for health should be stocked up for Tet, such as: celery, kale, spinach, cabbage, zucchini, radishes, and cucumbers. Don't forget to pickle some cabbage and onions as well. Grapefruit, oranges, tangerines, pears, dragon fruit, apples, watermelons... are fruits that don't cause weight gain; you should limit mangoes, longan, custard apples, and sweet grapes.

It's a good idea to prepare some local specialties like freshwater crabs, snails, clams, shrimp, and fresh squid to serve with meals for friends and relatives. It's truly delightful and delicious to enjoy traditional dishes like crab noodle soup, snail noodle soup, tofu noodle soup, sour clam soup, or a seafood hotpot with plenty of fresh vegetables during Tet (Vietnamese New Year) to treat guests.

Limit your purchases of cakes, jams, candies, wine, and beer. Instead, offer fresh fruit and green tea to guests and friends.

Drink less alcohol: This will not only limit your weight gain but also help keep your mind clear and your body healthy so you can fully enjoy the festive atmosphere of Tet.

When eating, the main purpose is socializing.

Delicious food during Tet (Vietnamese New Year) is always tempting, but instead of focusing solely on eating, take time to socialize and share with others. The party will be less boring, and you won't be able to eat much because you'll be busy teasing and joking with everyone. Leave the table when you still feel hungry.

The meals and meal times will remain the same as usual.

You should abandon the idea of ​​hoarding food during Tet. In recent years, markets are usually closed only on the first day of Tet, and resume normal operations from the second day onwards. Therefore, you shouldn't stockpile too much food, as it spoils and is wasteful, can cause digestive problems, or lead to weight gain.

You shouldn't skip breakfast when going to visit relatives or going out during Tet (Lunar New Year), because skipping breakfast will make you eat more at lunch and dinner. You shouldn't eat more than three meals a day.

Drink enough water.

During the Lunar New Year holiday, especially in January, the weather is often unpredictable, mostly cold and dry. Therefore, it's essential to drink enough water daily to replenish fluids, aiming for 1.5-2 liters per day. Drinking plenty of water also helps reduce appetite. Choose filtered water, fruit juices, or low-sugar smoothies such as cucumber, zucchini, carrot, or jicama juice to provide vitamins and minerals without gaining weight. Minimize alcohol and sugary drinks.

According to Health and Life