My guide to healthy Christmas feasting

Navigating a traditional Christmas spread can be a nightmare for a slimmer. What are the best options? How much should I have?

Much of the traditional Christmas fare is laden with fat. Here’s my guide to healthy Christmas feasting to take the guesswork out of Christmas meal choices.

Let’s look at the fat count of an average day’s food on Christmas Day

If you have a baked dinner, Christmas pudding with cream, 5 scorched almonds, a handful of peanuts, cashews and chocolate coated nuts and one piece of Chrissy cake your fat count could be anything up to 125g of fat for the day. Yes, it really does add up.

Be aware of what you’re putting into your mouth and even though it may seem like a good idea at the time, you know you’ll be filled with regret if you overdo it on the day. I know that Christmas wouldn’t be the same without the chocolates and nuts but all I am saying is to make wise choices. Moderation is vital!

The recommended total daily fat intake for someone wanting to lose up to 15 kilos is around 30g for a female and 40g for a male. Below is a guide to making healthy choices and as I said before, moderation is the key to success over Christmas.

TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS FOOD	TOTAL FAT PER SERVE
TURKEY BREAST baked/lean, 100g	3.0g
PORK LEG, roasted with fat, 100g	14.0g
PORK LEG, roasted lean 100g	3.5g
CRACKLING 30g	8.5g
LEG HAM lean 50g	3.5g
CHICKEN BREAST no skin 100g	2.0g
CHRISTMAS CAKE 160g slice	24.0g
SYMPLY TOO GOOD CHRISTMAS CAKE	1.4g

Christmas Day nibblies

One of the biggest problems on Christmas Day are the nibblies. With platters of lollies and nuts all around, it’s easy to snack without thinking. Grabbing a handful every time you walk by can wreak havoc with the waistline.

TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS NIBBLIES	TOTAL FAT PER SERVE
FRUIT MINCE PIE – 1 homemade	10.0g
CREAM – 3 tbsp	21.0g
CHOCOLATE COATED PEANUTS – 30g	13.5g
ALMONDS – 4 chocolate coated	10.0g
CASHEW NUTS – small handful	10.0g
PEANUTS – small handful	8.0g
MIXED NUTS – 30g	17.0g

My suggestions for healthier options

HEALTHY CHRISTMAS NIBBLIES	TOTAL FAT PER SERVE
PRETZELS – handful	under 1.0g
POPCORN – dry microwaved	under 1.0g
SALSA WITH CRUDITÉS AND RICE CRACKERS	under 1.0g
LOW FAT DIPS Book 4	approx 0.5g
FRUIT PLATTER filled with seasonal fruits	under 1.0g
SYMPLY TOO GOOD MINCE PIE Book 2	2.0g
SYMPLE SWEET CREAM Book 3	0.6g
MARSHMALLOW & FRUIT BUBBLE BAR Book 4	1.1g

A few final tips for Christmas feasting

Having a healthy attitude will go a long way on Christmas Day. To avoid a blow out on the day, choose mostly low fat nibblies and have just a few of the high fat choices. Have enough to satisfy you but don’t overdo it and don’t sit near all that tempting food, if possible sit with your back to the food.

Drink lots of water as this will keep you hydrated and make you less inclined to nibble for the sake of it.

There’s no need to deprive yourself, you can still be healthy and enjoy the Christmas fare. As long as you make the right choices and don’t overdo it Christmas can be an enjoyable time for slimmers. In the end, Christmas is not just about food, it’s about being with family and friends and celebrating your religious faith.

Excerpt taken from my Christmas Survival eBook.