The National Public Health Agency formulated recommendations for a balanced and healthy diet during the holidays. Specialists warn that overconsumption of foods high in energy, particularly salt, sugar and fats, can lead to overweight/obesity, resulting in diet related non-communicable diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and certain types of cancers. Also, to prevent cases of food poisoning, the Agency recommends being maximally prudent when keeping, preparing and serving foods, IPN reports.

Specialists warn against eating too much during the winter holidays and correctly storing the food products as overconsumption and nonobservance of storage conditions are the main causes of food poisoning.

Raw products should be isolated from the prepared ones by using separate kitchen utensils and by keeping these in containers with lid in the refrigerator. Meat, fish and eggs should be prepared at an appropriate temperature. Cooked food should not be kept at room temperature for over two hours, especially products with mayonnaise, eggs, fish or meat.

The diet should be balanced and based on vegetables and greens and salads should be seasoned with oil, not mayonnaise that would represent 50% of the plate. The other half of the plate should consist of a source of protein – meat or fish (25%) and of cereals, whole-grain pasta or potatoes (25%).

Plain water should replace juices and soda water on the holiday table. Salt should be replaced with aromatic condiments.