2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz, Catherine Addison-Swan)
The dark and cold days of winter can make sticking to a healthy diet a challenge - particularly over the festive season, where you might find yourself reaching for a mince pie or passing around the selection box after lunch all too often. For those seeking advice on how to stay healthy in the run-up to Christmas , one doctor has shared what he eats to help keep the sweet treat cravings at bay. NHS GP Amir Khan, who makes regular appearances on ITV 's Good Morning Britain and Lorraine, said he has the same lunch each day to help prevent him visiting the snack cupboard before dinner - and it also boasts a range of other benefits.
Taking to his TikTok page, Dr Khan told followers that he prepares a salad packed full of health-boosting ingredients that keep him full all afternoon, SurreyLive reports . He quipped: "It stops me from snacking and reduces the risk of me heading to reception to get chocolates that have been brought in my a patient." The super salad includes red onions, which Dr Khan praised as "great for gut health".
He added: "Red onions in particular have a plant compound called anthocyanin in them, which have been shown to be heart healthy." The doctor also adds chopped cucumber to his lunch, which is a "very good source" of vitamin K - a vitamin that helps with bone health, blood clotting and cardiovascular health. "There's fibre in the skin of the cucumber which is good for my gut health and cucumbers also contain a plant compound called cucurbitacin, which might have some anti-cancer properties," he said.
Another key ingredient in the salad is chopped tomatoes. Dr Khan told his followers that these are "high in antioxidants" and can also help boost your immune system, a must for winter cold and flu season, as they are high in vitamin C. To add some protein, the doctor adds chickpeas to his salad, he shared.
Full of fibre, this addition helps to keep him fuller for longer, which means "less snacking", as well as aiding digestion. And finally, as a dressing, Dr Khan said he finished off the salad with a "glug of olive oil" which is "high is monounsaturated fats", as well as the juice of a lime, which is a "great source of vitamin C". ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities.
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