Christmas: the goose is not a friend to the pig

Why is it traditional to eat turkey at Christmas, but what about pork?

In many Greek homes, the Christmas table is decorated with oven-roasted pork and potatoes, rather than the traditional turkey. Why is this happening? How did these two Christmas traditions come about, and which one should you add to your table? We'll tell you everything.

First up: turkey
Turkey has become an integral part of the Christmas table in many countries, but this tradition is not as old as it might seem.

The turkey was impressive in size, making it ideal for large family gatherings. In addition, its cost was significantly lower than other types of meat traditionally served at Christmas, such as goose. This was possible due to the ease of raising and fattening this bird.

Before the appearance of turkey on holiday tables in the 19th century the richest people ate geese, chickens and even peacocks. Starting in the 20th century, the nutritional value of turkey began to be taken into account. Its white meat is lean and rich in nutrients such as B vitamins, selenium and zinc.

What about the pork?

The tradition of eating turkey at Greek Christmas is relatively recent. For centuries, pork, mostly fried, predominated on the Greek table.. This was due to the fact that it was easier to find and cheaper than turkey. The most popular pork options are the pork leg, usually baked in the oven with potatoes, carrots and herbs.

So which of the two options should you choose?
Pork is tastier, turkey is healthier. That's the short answer. And in more detail:

Benefits of Turkey

• Protein of high biological value. Turkey meat is an excellent source of proteins necessary for the body to grow and repair tissue. Less saturated fat. Compared to red meat, turkey contains less saturated fat, which reduces the risk of heart disease.
• Vitamins and minerals. Poultry is rich in B complex vitamins, iron, selenium and zinc, which contribute to the good functioning of the body.

Cons of Turkey

• High in sodium: Turkey, especially when smoked or deli, can contain high levels of sodium, which can raise blood pressure.
• Calories: Although it is leaner than pork, its calorie content can increase significantly if eaten with the skin or with a rich sauce.

Benefits of Pork

• Protein. Like turkey, pork is rich in protein.
• Vitamins and minerals. The meat contains significant amounts of B complex vitamins, iron and zinc.
• Rich taste. Pork has a more intense and distinctive flavor.

Disadvantages of Pork

• Saturated fats. Pork can contain high amounts of saturated fat, especially in the fatty cuts.
• Cholesterol. Pork contains more cholesterol than turkey. Especially if you remove the skin (which contains most of the fat) from the turkey and grill it, adding veggies instead of potatoes, you'll have a super healthy, calorie-free meal.

Because of course The point of the holidays is to relax the diet a littlewe recommend that you choose the option that tastes best to you and just make sure to consume wisely. This means eating in moderation, paying attention to the amount of sauce and fatty side dishes you put on your plate. And the diet – from January!

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