Kicking the guilt

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Posted at 10:31AM, 06 January 2010 by Andrea McGinniss - Editor, bbcgoodfood.com

The whirl that is neatly labelled 'the festive season' is officially over. The 'it's Christmas' excuse is the only thing running thin right now. So it's no more bottles of bubbly with brunch, fat slabs of oozy brie and hunks of ham on buttered white bread, or handfuls of Ferrero Rochers. No siree. The fun is over. Or is it?

I've decided there's no point going cold turkey. Instead I'm trying to ease myself into good habits. I'd be quite happy not to see another cold cut for quite a while, but totally give up cheese and chocolate? No chance. We've all been back in the Good Food office for 2.5 days now, armed with carrot sticks and good intentions, but blimey it's cold out there, and salads can't quite compete with the comfort provided by a big bowl of chilli.

The 'it's Christmas' excuse is the only thing running thin right now.

So, I'm willing to give up the butter-based blowouts and Baileys for a while but not ready to commit to carrots and cucumber. It's our very own 'Ultimate Makeover' recipes that are floating my boat - traditionally indulgent dishes done that little bit healthier. Thai green curry and a luscious lasagne for under 500 cals a serve, I say bring it on. And then there's our shiny new Healthy Recipes app - if only I had an iPhone!

Are you all or nothing or somewhere in between with your eating habits at this time of year? What kind of recipes do you search for?

Comments

Danni @ olive mag

6 January 2010, 11:20AM
Danni @ olive mag

My festive downfall, was, as always cheese and while I'm slowly weening myself off chocolate, I've decided that cheese is an absolute no go. Who knows how long that'll last! I'll be getting that healthy recipes app though! My olive 'slimmer dinners' supplement is already being put to good use.

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Suzanne

6 January 2010, 11:49AM
Suzanne

I'm adopting a healthy yet hearty approach. I'm avoiding cheese, chocolate, cake, crisps and all other obvious nasties (why do they all start with a C?) but like you Andi can't quite get into salads when it's snowing outside. So for us at home it's healthy black bean chilli with brown rice, Thai salmon with noodles and steamed veg, griddled chicken with roasted veg, that kind of thing. Filling and tasty yet getting loads of veg in there.

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Monaz

6 January 2010, 11:55AM
Monaz

It's futile resisting the lure of the canteen bacon sandwich as I thaw out at my desk in the mornings. The cold weather just demands comforting (read: fatty and sugary) food. I've been quite good in the evenings, but I struggle most in the daytime - too easy to succumb to treats from the sandwich shops after lunch.

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Elaine

6 January 2010, 5:21PM
Elaine

My head tells me I'm ready for lighter, fresher food but my heart (and the Big Freeze) has me still craving big bowls of warming food. I made two of Mary Cadogan's Christmas pies with all my leftover ham, turkey, cranberries etc(highly recommended). I cut the second pie into slices and froze them. I'm afraid they keep calling to me. My other problem is weighing up the guilt of over-indulging with the guilt of throwing away food. I still have lots of cheese, biscuits and Christmas cake. None are past their sell-by date, so I'd feel even more guilty if I threw them away. What a dilemma!

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miniminx

7 January 2010, 6:38PM
miniminx

happily, i'm pregnant so the usual new year 'diet and detox' is out the window! i'm loving the freedom to continue to dip my shortbread into steaming mugs of hot chocolate and as for giving up cheese??? no chance! but the cold weather is making me reach mainly for my mum's comfort food: shepherd's pie, beef stroganoff, fish pie, and all sorts of self-saucing puddings, including chocolate and lemon!

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Jen

8 January 2010, 1:12PM
Jen

My hubby and I had managed to over indulge for almost 2 months having gotten married in November and then, on our return from honeymoon, enjoying not 1 but 2 Christmas's with our respective families!! Consequently we have decided to cut out meat & cheese for the first two weeks of January as a way to try and detox and hopefully loose a few of those extra pounds! So far we've stuck to it... I've cooked chilli lentil & veg stew, prawn, pea & tomato curry, herb crusted haddock, veggie shepherd's pie with sweet potato and have ear marked a whole host of other recipes to try thanks to Good Food. I'm quite tempted to keep this up until the end of the month... I wonder what the hubby will say?!

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Daisy_May

10 January 2010, 8:28PM
Daisy_May

I normally kick start any regime with running... but with the weather being so awful I've excused myself. That's led to some serious over-eating! My husband and daughter are both quite thin and I'm always at odds with meal times trying to create something for them which doesn't skimp too much on calories. Unless I cook two meals, however, I'm having to eat the same meals as them but I'm trying to loose weight. And I'm far too weak for 'smaller portions' ;-) Best of luck everyone!

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kittendothroar

15 January 2010, 9:43PM
kittendothroar

I thought briefly about lighter dishes on new years eve but the cold weather came and thus resulted in me wanting to eat warming, hearty dishes, in bigger quantities! Am sure when the days get a bit lighter and warmer, my dishes will too get lighter, all in moderation :) Though will someone please eat the rest of our xmas sweets, I think I am starting to resemble a 'celebration' and have a slight sugar addiction I need to wean off from!!

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Holly

19 January 2010, 10:29PM
Holly

I am so angry at bbcgoodfood.com - I am sure it is their fault my jeans are now too tight! Those Christmas recipes were delicious. But I agree that it is not the time for carrots and celery â even though I am in 37 degree heat in Oz and my expanding stomach is shouting another message! Those Ultimate Makeover meals and noodle bowls are defiantly on the cards. Who needs diet food with great healthy recipes. (I donât have an iPhone either â but now really want one!

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Holly

19 January 2010, 10:33PM
Holly

I am so angry at bbcgoodfood.com - I am sure it is their fault my jeans are now too tight! Those Christmas recipes were delicious. But I agree that it is not the time for carrots and celery - even though I am in 37 degree heat in Oz and my expanding stomach is shouting another message! Those Ultimate Makeover meals and noodle bowls are defiantly on the cards. Who needs diet food with great healthy recipes. (I don't have an iPhone either, but now really want one!)

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franti91

21 January 2010, 8:46AM
franti91

Just like everyone else I've decided to lose some weight as I'm 6 stones overweight and have been for sometime now! It's nice to know that cheese isn't just MY favourite although I don't really do chocolate or sweet things! I joined weightwatchers yesterday as one of my daughters had great success a couple of years ago and wanted to go back for a catch-up, my youngest daughter who only needs to lose 6lbs........yes, pounds not stones, and was told she didn't need to be there, came for back-up!! I got all the info and the very nice lady made it sound exciting, but looking through some of your recipes this morning has given me more of a boost! Even though I don't geenerally eat sweet things, those Muffins went straight in my binder and I'm making them for my girls for a treat when they come round later! Armed with my points counter and BBC Good Food site I am sure I can achieve my goal and stay healthy as well! Thank you,

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