Tuesday, March 1, 2016

How to Eat Green This St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick’s Day is March 17th, and we can’t wait to celebrate. You are sure to indulge in some sweet treats and tasty drinks, but that does not mean you have to sacrifice the hard work you have put into your diet so far. Here’s how you can be eating green on St. Patrick’s Day.

Chances are you’ll be attending or hosting some sort of St. Patrick’s Day party, either with friends, family or coworkers. These parties are usually filled with plenty of fattening food, sugary beverages and unhealthy desserts. You don’t want to completely refrain from enjoying these treats; however, be smart about how you approach them.

  • Eat the healthy food first. This means things like broth-based soups and appetizer vegetables. Filling up on these first can keep you from overindulging in a main dish that is more likely to be higher in calories.
  • Make your plate and eat with other dieters in the room. This keeps you all motivated and focused on making smart decisions.
  • Plan to wear your favorite green top or pants. Or go out now and buy something you plan to wear by next month. This is great for getting into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit and setting a goal for yourself to stay motivated.
  • Be smart about what you drink. The beverages are always an exciting part of any St. Patrick’s Day party, but they can be damaging to your diet if you’re not careful. Non-alcoholic drinks can be full of sugar and calories, and alcoholic drinks can lower inhibitions and fuel overeating. Stick to clear alcohols on the rocks and stay away from sugary mixers.
  • If you’re hosting your own St. Patrick’s Day party, purchase small plates and bowls, tiny serving utensils and tall, skinny glasses. This keeps portions small and slows down consumption.
Speaking of hosting your own party, try out these exciting St. Patrick’s Day ideas for some green desserts and drinks. Green Tea Cake
  1. Preheat your oven to 350 F and grease a bread loaf pan.
  2. Sift 220 g of whole wheat flour, 1 tsp of baking powder and ½ tsp of salt into a bowl and set aside.
  3. Mix 3 eggs, 1 tsp of vanilla extract, 150 grams of granulated stevia powder and 1 tbsp of matcha green tea powder into a bowl. Once blended, slowly mix in a ½ cup of canola oil and 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt.
  4. Mix the two bowls together, spread smoothly into your baking pan and bake for 45-50 minutes.
  5. Let cool and sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar.
Matcha Ice Cream
  1. Blend 500 mL of almond milk or coconut milk, 2 tsp of matcha powder, 1 tsp of vanilla essence and 100 mL of rice syrup. Then mix in 1 tsp of xanthan gum to thicken.
  2. Pour into an ice cream mixer and mix for an hour.
  3. Pour into some Tupperware, place into the freezer and stir every 15 minutes to avoid crystallization.
All of these tips and recipes are great for keeping you on track this St. Patrick’s Day. Healthy desserts and low-calorie drinks are just as tasty as you could imagine, and they won’t wreck your diet. Enjoy yourself this holiday, and may you be as lucky (and healthy) as ever!