Oral Health Friendly

Christmas is a time for family. It’s a time for long, hot days and blinking lights and presents under the tree. And it’s the time to eat so much that your teeth ache and your bathrobe gets too tight. But if you want to enjoy your Christmas, and avoid foods that make you feel bloated and sick and send you screaming to the dentist, there are several foods you should indulge in this festive season.

Fresh Seafood

We’re so lucky here in Australia to have access to some of the best seafood in the world. Grilled on the barbeque or boiled and served cold, it’s the Christmas treat that goes with everything. It’s also low in fat, high in protein and tastes amazing.

Sweet Potato

If you have a sweet tooth, but don’t want a trip to the dentist, try these orange cousins of the humble potato. They’re delicious roasted as part of your Christmas dinner, filling, and full of fiber and essential vitamins.

Fresh Berries

Cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries. They’re all great at this time of year and can be eaten fresh or as part of a (small) slice of cake. They’re full of antioxidants and vitamins too.

Make your own Pies

The fruit’s so good in Australia that it would a shame to miss out. Christmas is a time for pie, fruit and otherwise, and if you choose wisely you’ll miss out on a lot of unnecessary calories and still have a delicious meal. Try apple or pumpkin pie that you make yourself. That way you get all the goodness, and control the amount of fat and butter that goes in. And that’s better for your oral health and for your waistline.

Turkey rather than Ham

And here is your excuse to eat traditional holiday food. Roast turkey has less calories than ham and is lower in sodium, which means less bloating. It also contains phosphorus, which works alongside calcium to make your teeth stronger. There really isn’t any reason why you should avoid this holiday treat. Just don’t go overboard.

Dark Chocolate

Yes, now you have an excuse. Dark chocolate is good for your heart and also has a stronger taste. This means that you’ll eat less of it than you would sweeter versions, which will make your dentist very happy.

Chilled Red Wine

Everyone knows about the health benefits of red wine. Drinking may give you a lot of empty calories that you really don’t need at Christmas time, but as long as it’s in moderation it can be a fun part of the holiday festivities. Swap your usual beer or white wine for red, and get some benefits from this Christmas staple. Just be aware that red wine can stain your teeth, so be prepared for a trip to the dentist for a thorough clean if that happens.