On average, we each put on around one pound over the festive season - it might not sound like a lot, but most of us won't lose it, despite our best New Year's resolutions.
Keep your calorie intake under control on Christmas day with these tips:
- Have a good breakfast to help resist nibbling snacks all morning. Wholegrain cereal or porridge oats, sprinkled with raisins and seeds, release energy slowly to keep you going till lunch. For a treat, try scrambled egg and smoked salmon on wholemeal toast - the protein and heart healthy omega 3 fat will give you a real boost.
- Nuts are high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, but you risk gaining weight if you eat too many. Swap salted nuts for mixed nuts in their shells - you’ll eat a lot less.
- Keep a bowl of seasonal satsumas in reach – this vitamin C-rich fruit makes a sweet and easy snack and will help your immune system cope with late nights and over-indulgence.
- Swap milk chocolate for dark – the richer flavour means you’ll eat less and a small amount of dark chocolate daily has been shown to have benefits for heart health, thanks to compounds in the cocoa which can lower blood pressure.
- Don’t asleep in front of the TV - wrap up and get outside. A walk round the block or to a local beauty spot will re-energise you and burn calories.
- Alternate alcoholic drinks with a glass of water to cut calories and help prevent that morning-after feeling.
- Ask friends and family for non-edible gifts – nail polish, a DVD, book or pot plant don’t cost the earth and won’t ruin your good intentions.
Christmas dinner
The traditional feast can be a brilliantly balanced meal, but watch out for the pitfalls…
- Choose light meat from the roast turkey - like the breast - instead of dark and you’ll cut fat from 6.6g to 2g and boost the protein (needed for growth and repair of the body). Dark meat also has around three times more saturated fat than light meat. Remove the skin for an even greater fat saving.
- A serving of roast potatoes contains around 9g of fat. Boil or bake your spuds instead and you’ll cut that down to around half a gram.
- Avoid creamy vegetables dishes like cauliflower cheese (5.2g fat) and fill up instead on colourful veggies like Brussels sprouts, carrots and peas (2.1g fat). Steaming instead of boiling your veg helps to stop valuable nutrients being lost to the cooking water.
- A slice of Christmas pud contains around 11.8g fat but a generous helping of brandy butter or custard will send that soaring to over 28g.
Did you know?
The bright red colour of cranberries comes from a group of antioxidants called flavonoids, and cooking makes it easier for them to do their job of protecting cells against damage. Save calories by making your own cranberry sauce from whole berries - you’ll get a tastier and less sugary sauce than buying it ready made.
Beat the stress
In charge of present-buying and wrapping, keeping warring family members happy and feeding a cast of thousands, it’s not surprising that mums tend to be low on their own list of priorities. But finding time to take care of yourself will make looking after everyone else easier and more enjoyable.
Unfortunately, drinking mulled wine all morning won’t help you cope with extra work and stress. Alcohol uses up the chemicals that the brain needs to ward off anxiety and can have a negative effect on your mood. The same goes for chocolate - sugary foods enter the bloodstream quickly, causing a surge of energy that soon wears off, leaving you feeling tired and low.
Instead, mix a decadent berry smoothie – blend fresh or frozen berries, creamy Greek-style yoghurt, a spoon of honey and a sprinkling of rolled oats. The combination of nutrients will keep your blood sugar level steady all morning, give your immune system a boost and improve your mood.
Finally - however you choose to spend your day, have a wonderful Christmas!