Rospotrebnadzor Issues Holiday Eating Guidance, Stressing Small Frequent Meals and Food Safety
The federal health agency lays out practical steps to reduce overeating and foodborne illness during New Year celebrations.
Overview
- The agency recommends a fractional eating pattern with small meals every 3–4 hours to help maintain satiety throughout the holidays.
- Guidance favors protein-rich dishes using lean beef, rabbit, chicken or turkey, prepared by baking or steaming, along with healthy fats from fish, nuts, seeds and vegetable oils.
- Officials advise adding more fresh vegetables and fruit for fiber, drinking more water, and incorporating physical activity to support digestion.
- Food-safety measures include respecting storage times for leftovers, dressing mayonnaise-based salads only before serving, washing hands and produce, and using separate cutting boards for raw meats and ready-to-eat foods.
- Complementing the official advice, physician Darya Podchinenova urges keeping regular meals on December 31, planning portions, preparing fewer dishes, and substituting mayonnaise with lighter dressings such as balsamic vinegar or yogurt mixed with mustard.