Rosalee Brown

Many persons remember their childhood Christmas with nostalgia. It was a happy time when they received toys, the family came together and there was lots of food. Many persons try in some way to continue some, if not all, of the traditional food preparation to which they attach these positive experiences.

Christmas breakfast

Breakfast had dishes such as bacon and eggs, fresh, hard-dough bread oozing with butter, old-fashioned chocolate with coconut milk, eggnog, liver, ackee and codfish, fried sprat, the works. Many persons would offer meals to less fortunate, elderly persons and children so they too could share in the happiness.

Some older people would remember that as children, Christmas breakfast portions were larger than usual, but we scarcely overate because of competing mouths and high-activity level.

For many people, except some of the older girls who had to assist mother or other female elders in preparing the Christmas dinner, children would run wild playing a myriad of games and enjoying their new toys. Then it would be snack time consisting of Christmas cake and aerated water or soda, depending on the era you are from.

Many people should remember collecting bottles to fill crates and exchanging them at the drinks truck. At Christmas time, most children were able to enjoy one whole bottle of aerated water. Others would enjoy the fruits of the land and maybe some sorrel.

Christmas dinner

As children, Christmas dinner could include curry goat, roast beef, ham and pork done in various ways. There was a whole roast chicken served with your choice of starches such as gungo rice and peas, mozzella yam, candied sweet potato, potato salad, vegetable salads of all descriptions and an array of mixed drinks, soft and hard.

Persons would often eat many times throughout the evening and games would continue for adults and children. Children often played the high-energy games while adults played the board games. The feasting was not only at Christmas, but would continue to New Year's Day as family members visited each other's homes to have a good time.

There is no reason why we should not relive some of these experiences, but we must put things in perspective, as we are no longer children, perhaps not as active and some may be suffering from ill-health. This should not spoil the fun, however, so consider the following:

Tips

Do not try to serve all your favourite dishes on Christmas Day only. Save some for Boxing Day, Christmas Sunday and New Year's Day.

Enjoy but in small portions.

Prepare and eat loads of vegetable salads without the dressing, as the main dishes will offer additional flavour to make them palatable.

Use small glasses for the sorrel.

Eat small pieces of Christmas cake.

Add some high-energy activity after dinner, to add to the fun instead of all board games.

Give dinner to those less fortunate.

Taste different seasonal dishes from different holiday functions instead of all from the same functions.

Seasons greetings!

Rosalee M. Brown is a registered dietitian/nutritionist who operates Integrated Nutrition and Health Services. Email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.