The variety of New Year's tables can lead to digestive problems!
"New Year's Eve, along with the enjoyable moments spent with our loved ones, becomes unforgettable with carefully prepared tables. However, food safety and health should not be overlooked on this special night."
Emphasizing the importance of food safety in meal preparations, Nutritionist Instructor Hatice Nurseda Hatunoğlu stated that “It might be tempting to serve too much food at the New Year's table; however, preparing excessive food often leads to waste. Moreover, too much food can cause digestive problems or stomach discomfort.”
Nutritionist Instructor Kübra Şahin pointed out that the variety of New Year's meals can lead to digestive problems and stated that “You can prefer herbal teas such as mint, fennel, or chamomile to ease digestion after the meal.”
Instructors Hatice Nurseda Hatunoğlu and Kübra Şahin from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Üsküdar University shared important points to consider for a safe and healthy New Year’s table.
Food preparations play an important role on New Year's Eve
Nutritionist Hatice Nurseda Hatunoğlu stated that food preparations hold an important place in celebrating New Year's Eve with our loved ones and also added that “If some points are considered in terms of food safety and health, New Year’s Eve will be remembered as a delightful meal without any negative experiences.”
Raw meat and vegetables should be kept separate!
Emphasizing the importance of food safety in meal preparations, Hatunoğlu offered the following suggestions:
“First, attention should be paid to food cleanliness, hands should be washed before starting meal preparations, and raw meat and vegetables should be kept separate to reduce contamination risks. The cooking temperatures of foods are also very important.
Especially, meats such as turkey, which is a staple at New Year’s tables, as well as red meat and chicken, should reach an internal temperature of 75 degrees Celsius. Marinating meats with olive oil and various spices will enhance the flavor and ensure they remain tender after cooking. Mayonnaise and cream-based dishes should not be kept at room temperature for more than 2 hours. If ice is to be used in beverages, ice made with clean water should be used.”
Alcohol consumption should be limited
Nutritionist Hatunoğlu also recommended limiting alcohol consumption and expressed that “Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to stomach problems. Be careful to drink alcoholic beverages slowly and balance them with water. It may be tempting to serve too much food at the New Year’s table, but preparing excessive food generally leads to waste. Additionally, too much food can cause digestive issues or stomach discomfort. Prepare meals in a balanced way and try to keep portions reasonable.”
Portions should be kept small to avoid overloading the stomach!
Instructor Kübra Şahin noted that the variety of New Year’s meals can lead to digestive problems and added that “New Year’s tables are usually very diverse; however, this can lead to indigestion, stomach discomfort, or other digestive problems in some people. Chewing food slowly facilitates digestion and prevents overeating. When there are many varieties, and you want to taste everything on the table, be sure to keep your portions small to avoid overloading your stomach. Very fatty, oily, fried, or creamy foods can be hard on the stomach. You should prefer lighter and oven-baked alternatives.”
Prefer milk-based desserts instead of syrupy ones!
Nutritionist Kübra Şahin also recommended consuming milk-based or fruit desserts instead of syrupy ones and stated that “You should wait a while before eating dessert after the meal. You can plan ahead to avoid overeating between the main course and dessert. Consuming too many dried fruits, chips, or similar snacks before the New Year’s meals can leave no room for the main course and cause stomach complaints. Instead of consuming too many acidic or sugary drinks with the meal, try to drink water. This both relaxes the stomach and aids digestion. After the meal, you can prefer herbal teas such as mint, fennel, or chamomile to facilitate digestion.”
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜHA)