A Vegetarian Christmas

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Article Date: 10 Dec 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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With Christmas just around the corner and preparations in full swing, you might be starting to think of meal planning for the big day. It can often be challenging for vegetarians and those catering for them to get a meat-free Christmas dinner just right, especially since not all vegetarians will be happy with just roast potatoes and vegetables. Even for non-vegetarians, a meat-free dinner can be a heart-healthier option and can eliminate the pressure of finding oven space and waiting for the turkey to cook.

Meat-free mycoprotein roasts or fillets with stuffing and all the trimmings make a delightful dinner and you can marinade them with garlic and red chillies for an extra kick.

Serve up veggie burgers made with beans and lentils for a tasty fibre fix.

A nut roast made with walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts can be a delicious way to get a heart-healthy omega-3 boost.

Stuff large mushrooms and peppers with a mixture of couscous, onions, sliced peppers, carrots, almonds and fresh herbs. Mushrooms are a good source of potassium, which is great for a healthy blood pressure Butternut squash is low in fat and full of fibre and can be roasted and served with quinoa, spinach, courgettes and tomatoes.

Although roasted vegetables are traditional accompaniments to a Christmas dinner, why not go for something fresh and different such as a salad with spinach, red onion and pomegranate. Avocados can be a heart-healthy addition to a salad as they may help lower cholesterol.

A homemade tomato, basil and oregano sauce can be a heart friendly alternative to the high fat, high salt gravy. If you're feeling really adventurous why not try a tomato, cucumber and onion relish.

It doesn't matter if you're having a vegetarian dinner or not, remember to include a wide variety of vegetables and use herbs instead of salt to help keep your heart healthy this Christmas.

Heart Research UK