Avoid a Christmas Calorie Bomb!
Dessert is included.
Just to drill this into your brains again: the average Australian puts on between 0.8-1.5kgs during the silly season. What’s more, it’s estimated that people consume anywhere from 3,000 to 6,000 calories on Christmas day alone – so it’s really no wonder most of us are a little heavier on the scales come January 1. If you’re wondering what you can do to help avoid a Christmas calorie bomb, listen up for my smart swaps (that still allow you to join in on the festive fun).
At the cheeseboard…
A celebration isn’t a celebration without a mega cheese platter to kick things off, but tucking into super creamy dips, huge slabs of salty cheese and slices of fatty processed meat isn’t the best thing with good health (and a healthy waistline) in mind.
Instead, opt for healthy dips like hummus or tzatziki over traditional French onion. High-fibre wholegrain crackers in place of refined and processed ones is another win, and fresh fruit and veg are a welcome addition to any festive platter in my books, too.
At the buffet…
My first tip at the Christmas buffet is to scan the entire selection before plating up. That way, you’ll get a good idea of what’s on offer and be able to choose a few options that really take your fancy instead of taking a bit of everything and ending up with a mountain of food on your plate.
Rather than missing out on your favourite foods altogether, I also recommend ‘crowding’ – that is crowding out the ‘less healthy’ foods with the healthier ones. In practical terms, that means filling half of your plate with non-starchy veg (think festive salads and roasted veg) rather than a pile of meat with just a token lettuce leaf.
Seafood is my top pick at Christmas – you can’t go past fresh prawns and oysters for a lean protein punch. Don’t be afraid of the usual turkey, chicken or Christmas ham though, just stick to a small portion and remove any visible fat (bye-bye chicken skin).
At the dessert table…
If you know me, you’ll know I’m all for a good dessert. But with dessert being offered almost every second day during the silly season, choosing a lighter option might be wise if weight control is on your mind.
Creamy cheesecake and decadent Christmas pudding with custard pack a lot of kilojoules, so make the most of sweet and juicy summer fruits. Not only are they delicious, they’re also low in energy and are a great source of satisfying fibre. Think homemade ice blocks (perfect if you’ve got little ones around) or fresh fruit salad with a dollop of yoghurt or cream.
Of course, Christmas is just one day, so if you feel like indulging in all of your favourite festive foods, go for it. But keep in mind that for most of us, Christmas is usually a month-long affair, so choosing the healthier option most of the time is a pretty good idea.