How to create a healthy, anti-inflammatory Christmas dinner

December is here, so it’s soon time for Christmas dinner(s). In the past couple of years, many people have found new variations on the traditional dishes that usually make their way to the Christmas table, and in this article we want to give you some tips on how to make your Christmas dinner a little more anti-inflammatory! Some general tips to keep in mind are to choose fibre-rich ingredients, cook from scratch as much as possible, avoid cooking at high temperatures, opt for gluten-free foods and prioritize plant-based dishes over animal products. As for the desserts, they can easily be raw and sweetened with dates instead of icing sugar or similar. But the most important thing at Christmas dinner is to enjoy the good food and good company!

A variety of winter salads and cabbage

A Christmas classic that also benefits the gut microbiome. Try making several salads in different varieties, using kale, Brussels sprouts or red cabbage. Green and red cabbage can be served raw and Brussels sprouts can be steamed or cooked in the oven at a low temperature. You can also serve the cabbage with, for example, pomegranate seeds, orange slices, turmeric or walnuts. 

Gingerbread balls 

The taste of gingerbread is very much associated with Christmas, and of course it belongs on the Christmas menu. In addition, the spices contained in gingerbread have anti-inflammatory properties. You can also read more about the anti-inflammatory spices of Christmas here. Below you can find an easy and super tasty recipe for raw gingerbread balls. 

• 100gr cashew nuts 
• 35gr gluten-free oatmeal 
• 10 fresh pitted dates 
• 1-2tbsp coconut oil 
• 3tsp gingerbread spice (adjust to taste) – or make your own by mixing ground ginger (5tsp), ground cinnamon (6tsp), ground cloves (3tsp), ground cardamom from green pods (3tsp) and ground nutmeg (1tsp). You’ll have some extra to use in banana bread or to create more gingerbread balls at a later time.
• 0.5tsp salt 
• TIP! Add a sachet of Synbiotic for an extra dose of good bacteria and fiber. 

How to make the gingerbread balls

• Mix all ingredients and blend until smooth.
• If you want a firmer consistency, you can put the gingerbread balls in the freezer.

Wild-caught salmon 

Wild-caught salmon is a perfect choice for your Christmas dinner. Salmon contains a lot of good fats which makes your belly full and happy. And let’s not forget that salmon is an excellent source of Omega-3, which reduces inflammation in the body. Check out our Miso salmon recipe or our Salmon with Tarragon cream sauce recipe.

Hummus 

Hummus is a popular staple that can be used as an ingredient in a dish or as a spread for a cracker. We recommend using the following ingredients for your hummus: chickpeas, lemon, tahini, MCT oil, cumin, paprika powder, sea salt, pepper, garlic and water. 

Potatoes or sweet potatoes 

Potatoes may appear ordinary, but the fact is that they are a food with many health benefits. Both potatoes and sweet potatoes contain resistant starch that makes its way down to the large intestine where it acts as food for the good bacteria to grow. In addition, potatoes are filling and go well with both salmon and cabbage. But make sure to let the potatoes cool before serving, this will increase the amount of fibres and reduce the amount of sugars in the potatoes. 

Panna cotta 

Stig Bengmark’s Choose Health recipe book has a delicious recipe for a simple panna cotta with lovely dark chocolate, but without gelatin. Below you can find the recipe for this delicious dessert. 

• 100-125gr dark chocolate, 90% cocoa 
• 400ml coconut cream 
• 4-6 dates, pitted 
• 1tsp agar powder (a plant-based gelling, thickening, stabilizing, emulsifying agent made from 100% natural Red Seaweed)
• Fresh berries 

How to make the panna cotta

• Roughly chop the chocolate.
• Mix the coconut cream and dates.
• Mix in the agar powder and pour into a saucepan.
• immer on low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly until it thickens.
• Remove from the heat, stir in the roughly chopped chocolate and allow it to melt.
• our into serving bowls and leave to cool.
• Serve with fresh berries. 

Avocado halves garnished with shrimps and mango 

As a variation on deviled eggs, you could just as easily use avocado, which is a staple in anti-inflammatory cuisine. Serve the avocado halves with squeezed lemon, organic shrimp, diced mango and a sprinkle of salt.

Anti-inflammatory hot chocolate 

A cup of hot chocolate is both delicious and warming in the Christmas season. We have already recommended an anti-inflammatory version of hot chocolate, which you can find here. 

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