Expert help is on hand for local residents to help prevent those extra pounds from the festive feasting we all indulge in which is hardest to shift after the celebrations are over.
The average person in the UK could consume around 6,000 calories on Christmas Day alone – well above the guideline daily amount of 2,000 calories for women and 2,500 for men.
With Christmas parties and get-togethers kicking off at the start of December, we could each easily consume an extra 500 calories per day, adding up to a possible weight gain of 5lb by the time we’re making New Year’s resolutions to cut back on 1st January.
But Rachel Cooke, senior dietitian at Sirona care & health based in Bath and spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association (BDA), says there are simple steps we can all take to ensure the turkey is the only thing that gets completely stuffed at Christmas.
Rachel said: “This is Christmas and it is a time of celebration – hopefully these tips will show that small changes can help ensure you have festive fun while keeping an eye on your intake.”
Best laid plans – If you’re eating out, eat smaller meals beforehand and cut out treats. Open one box of chocolates at a time rather than having a whole collection on the go and put unopened boxes away out of sight (out of mind)!
Buffet stalking – Don’t bother to hover by the buffet table and if you do indulge, visit only once using a smaller dessert-sized plate, avoiding the high saturated fat offerings like sausage rolls and quiche, in favour of fruit, skinless chicken and veggie crudités.
Office offerings – Avoid the office communal chocolate/mince pies etc, take festive fruit like satsumas into work. Also, remember to avoid the January chocolate amnesty when everybody brings in their leftover chocolates because they want to pass on the lbs to you! Give the chocs to charity as raffle prizes and start a fruit club.
Store wars – Make a list and check it twice, when going to the shops, and stick to it. Avoid those aisles of temptation, or at least, don’t go completely OTT. If you want some healthier festive snacks, try plain popcorn, pretzels, and veggie crudités with a low fat dip.
Big birdie… Turkey is a great source of protein and a low fat meat option. Most of the fat that is present in a cooked turkey will be found in the skin. Why not take the skin off before you tuck in?
Perfect portions – Around a third of your dinner plate should be veggies. Cook for the shortest length of time possible in the smallest amount of water necessary to keep all the nutrients in. Use the veggie water for your gravy and any leftover veggies for a winter soup. These make a great contribution to your 5-a-day.
Options open – If you want to go that extra step, try dry roasting potatoes on a non-stick baking sheet or use an oil spray instead of smothering them in goose fat. You can also make your gravy using veggie stock instead of meat juices, accompanied by a fruit-based stuffing with bread sauce made with low fat milk.
Bottoms down – Those who like to partake in a drink or two tend to drink more over the Christmas period. It’s easy to forget the calories in alcohol which can tot up. Try avoiding sweet cocktails and creamy liqueurs. Alternate your drink with a glass of water or other calorie-free drinks and if you do enjoy a short with a mixer, stock up on low-calorie mixers and unsweetened fruit juices and beware the home measures (you know who you are)!
Pie-eyed – The average mince pie can contain about 250 calories and that’s before it’s covered in cream or brandy butter. Remove the lid to cut calories.
Sarah Button, Sirona’s health development manager, added: “Merry Christmas from us all at Sirona – we want everyone to enjoy themselves this festive period.
“If your New Year’s resolution is to change your lifestyle – for example, by losing weight, stopping smoking or getting more active – then we would love to hear from you. Call the Healthy Lifestyle team on 01225 831852.”
