The scent of mulled wine fills the air, Christmas melodies ring out, and figures shivering in the light snow flurry crowd around the glowing stalls, warming their numb fingers on hot drinks. Should we watch our calories while strolling through the Christmas market? Is any other kind of snacking even possible? We share valuable tips for a healthy visit to the Christmas market without missing out.
Goodbye mulled wine, hello punch
One thing that absolutely cannot be missed on any Christmas market visit is the typical mulled wine. Unfortunately, as one might suspect, the sweet spiced wine is packed with sugar, quite apart from the calorie-rich alcohol. The alcohol alone, which is required to have a minimum content of 7 percent by volume or higher, already accounts for a good 200 kilocalories. If a shot of rum and a bit of sugar are added, you quickly reach 260 kilocalories per mug. A lower-calorie alternative is fruit or tea punch, often also called children's punch. However, you should make sure that it is unsweetened. Aside from that, tea punch warms you up just as well as mulled wine and is easier on the stomach than the alcohol in mulled wine.
Snack healthier with roasted chestnuts
At the stalls, the most alluring scent comes from roasted almonds. Since these can consist of up to 50 percent sugar, roasted almonds belong on the list of Christmas fattening foods. As a snacking alternative, chestnuts, also known as marrons, are a great choice. The popular Christmas treat, which originally comes from Asia, contains very little fat and protein, but the fiber boosts digestion, which is usually a bit sluggish during the cold season anyway. This way, you can save about 600 kilocalories per 200-gram serving.
What does cinnamon have to do with blood sugar?
Snack smarter with cinnamon! According to scientific findings, this spice, often found in Christmas baked goods, has a blood-sugar-regulating effect. By consuming cinnamon extract, the effect of the blood-sugar-lowering hormone insulin can be enhanced. Baked apples with cinnamon are also delicious and wonderfully fragrant. Prepared at the Christmas market or in the oven at home, they put us in a magical Christmas mood.
Instead of potato pancakes, try baked potatoes with a twist
As delicious as they are, potato pancakes (Reibekuchen) are equally high in calories. These potato fritters, swimming in oil, are true calorie bombs relative to their size. For a slimmer waistline, a treat also made from potatoes is a great alternative. A hot, steaming baked potato, even with a dollop of herb quark, has far fewer calories than a potato pancake. Furthermore, this meal doesn't trigger the next wave of cravings nearly as much.
Alternative to bratwurst
The Germans' favorite snack is still often the bratwurst. It lies on the grill at many stalls in all sorts of shapes and sizes and is usually offered with fries. But especially with the bratwurst, which consists of almost one-third fat, it is worth thinking about a healthier alternative. For those looking for something salty that you can really sink your teeth into, a grilled corn on the cob is recommended. Even the pat of butter on top is perfectly acceptable given the calorie savings.
Don't forget: Don't go to the Christmas market on an empty stomach or ravenous with hunger, then moderate snacking will be much easier for you.
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