Eat without guilt

CHINESE New Year is usually a time where most people indulge in sugary cookies, cakes, and decadent dishes. Nutritionist Marissa Parry, who is also the co-founder and health & wellness director of PurelyB, gives her take on eating guilt-free during the holidays.

According to Parry ( above), eating should make you and your body feel good while making the right choices based on your lifestyle. However, she adds that doesn’t mean you should give up your favourite foods entirely.

“I’m not saying you can never eat your char kuey teow and your mee curry. Just want that less, and want the better food more,” she explains.

Incorporating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains should take centrestage, instead of completely eliminating certain foods from your pantry. Have a wide array of fruits because all those biscuits really add up, she adds.

“Have things like nuts, [or] fruits, even if it’s a little fruit tart, because you want something sweet, but have it balanced. You could make cakes, different cakes out of the fruits, like a cherry tart.

“Fruits are really great for Chinese New Year because if you want to indulge, you can eat these to clean the gut and clean the system.”

Parry says celebrations are about spending time together, and by shifting the focus from food to friends and family, you can enjoy the festivities, plus experience greater well-being.

She says: “It’s a mindset. If people can understand the connection between food and how it makes you feel, you’re going to see a lot more change in yourself. You’ll realise that your energy levels start to improve, your digestion starts to improve, your skin starts to improve and it’s just making that little change.” – Marion Fernando