For most people, Christmas is one of the few days of the year when dieting goes out the window — but that’s not the case for these wellness enthusiasts.
DailyMail.com spoke to three people – a vegan, a biohacker and an Ozempic user – to find out what those who have committed to a certain lifestyle plan to eat on Christmas Day.
While they all say they’ll find room for mashed potatoes and desserts, staples like turkey will remain off their plates. And all three say they will limit their alcohol consumption.
A study by Wren Kitchens found that the average person eats 5,370 calories on Christmas Day, twice the recommended daily allowance for men and three times as much for women.
This gluttony would take almost nine days of non-stop walking before anyone would get burned.
But with many piling their plates high, the Ozempic user said he wouldn’t eat a larger portion of meat than what could fit in the palm of his hand, while the biohacker insisted that any meat he consumes should be grass-fed.
Below, DailyMail.com reveals what Christmas dinner will look like for people on fad diets.
Above is a grass-fed cow ribeye roast with rosemary, cauliflower, green beans, scallops wrapped in bacon, roasted potatoes and pumpkin pie. This image was AI-generated to simulate a meal eaten by Dave Asprey
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Biohacker
Dave Asprey claims to have founded biohacking, a lifestyle that aims to shorten a person’s biological age and optimize all aspects of their health, such as cognition and athleticism.
Unlike many American families who consume turkey on Christmas Day, Mr. Asprey abolished the tradition 15 years ago.
Instead, he cooks a ribeye roast – an 8-pound piece of beef from the ribs of a cow – for his girlfriend, two teenagers and friends.
The meat should be grass-fed, which according to some studies has more nutrients, including two to six times more omega-3 fatty acids, which are said to improve health, brain and joints.
Biohacker Dave Asprey, pictured, revealed his meal choice for Christmas Day
He adds sprigs of rosemary and oregano, both of which have previously been praised for their longevity benefits.
To start his meal, Mrs. Asprey serves scallops wrapped in bacon
And for the main course, he offers vegetables including cauliflower with butter and pecorino cheese, shiitake mushrooms, red cabbage, leeks and even a few potatoes for a cheat treat.
His guests are encouraged to eat the protein first, which Mr Asprey says can help reduce blood sugar spikes, before starting on the vegetables.
For dessert he serves a coconut milk ice cream with a homemade pumpkin pie.
Making your own dishes is essential to avoid additives, he told DailyMail.com.
Pumpkin pies purchased at the grocery store often contain xanthan gum, an emulsifier linked to colon cancer, and artificial colorings such as Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, which are linked to hyperactivity in children.
For drinks, the family may open a bottle of organic red wine or sake from Japan, but he says they generally avoid alcohol, which is essential to avoid feeling unwell the next day.
“If you’re not feeling well, like a hangover, you’re more likely to not be nice to others,” he said, “while if you’re not, it creates a better atmosphere.”
Drinking plenty of water is encouraged.
Mr Asprey also emphasized the importance of his guests coming together at Christmas, with everyone helping to prepare the food.
“It’s very important in my home that everyone participates in some way in preparing the meal,” he said. ‘That means everyone feels more involved and there is a real sense of community.’
The above is an AI-generated photo of a Christmas meal recommended for people taking weight loss medications. It shows a small portion of turkey, Brussels sprouts, a small potato and beets
Ozempic
Ozempic and similar weight-loss drugs like Wegovy have taken the US by storm, with estimates suggesting that six percent of Americans – or 19 million people – are currently taking the drugs.
They work by suppressing appetite, causing a person to eat less and, as a result, lose weight.
But experts say it’s essential that people make sure they get enough nutrients while taking the drug, and that they eat a high-protein diet – which can help maintain essential muscle mass while burning fat.
Sam Tejada, who advises people on Ozempic and Mounjaro, suggested a Christmas meal for people taking slimming drugs
Some experts suggest this can also help people avoid regaining the weight they’ve lost. A study this year found that the majority of people who stopped taking semaglutide – the active ingredient in Ozempic – regained two-thirds of the weight they had lost.
Sam Tejada, who previously used Ozempic and Mounjaro to lose 25kg and now advises hundreds of people on the drug, said Ozempic users should still eat on Christmas Day.
He said an Ozempic user should have as much turkey as can fit in the palm of their hand, and then two palm-sized portions of vegetables covering the colors of the rainbow.
“It’s likely they’ll feel full before they’re done with this,” he said, “and some people can’t even last that long while on the drug.”
“But it’s important to consume the food to help maintain muscle mass.”
He also emphasized to Ozempic users that it was important to stay hydrated throughout the day.
In the spirit of the festivities, Ozempic users can treat themselves to some treats this Christmas
However, he does recommend that they abstain from ‘heavy foods’ that are high in fat, including eggnog, and carbohydrates, such as potatoes, as he says these will make people feel nauseous and sluggish.
The above is an AI-generated photo of a Christmas meal recommended for people following a vegan diet. It consists of seitan with wild rice filling, mashed potatoes, a pumpkin pie, as well as a mug of hot chocolate and a glass of non-alcoholic apple cider
Vegan
Dr. Michael Greger is a top researcher in the field of longevity and provides daily tips on how to extend a person’s healthy lifespan. He is also vegan and does not eat animal foods such as milk, cheese, steak or lamb chops.
This holiday season, Dr. Greger told DailyMail.com that the first rule to remember is that you don’t have to follow a strict meal plan at Christmas, and that it’s important to relax restrictions sometimes.
Michael Greger revealed his vegan diet plan for the holidays
Nevertheless, he revealed that his family dines on Seitan instead of the traditional turkey.
Seitan is a popular meat substitute and is made from gluten, the main protein in wheat.
“It’s probably disappointing for a meat eater,” he said, “but I haven’t eaten meat for 30 years and I love it.”
Not only does he delve into seitan because it is a healthy meat alternative, but because the food is versatile, it can sometimes resemble meatloaf, which his family has fond memories of during the holidays.
Unlike the other dieters, he does eat a traditional filling, which can be made with wild rice and breadcrumbs.
For side dishes, their family sticks to tradition and eats sweet potatoes and white potatoes, and for dessert they have a traditional homemade pumpkin pie.
Like the biohacker and Ozempic user, Dr.’s family avoids. Greger alcohol on holiday.
Dr. Greger says he and his family do not drink substances that can cause cancer. Some studies have linked alcohol consumption to an increased risk of the disease.
Instead, they consume hot chocolate and a non-alcoholic spiced apple cider with cloves and cinnamon.