survival strategies Yo u r festive food

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We’ve all fallen into the trap of buying way too much food around Christmas and eating it just because it’s there.

So even if your shopping list has more treats than usual, be strict about how much food you really need to buy.

It’s best to shop for a week’s meals in advance while on this diet. Then you don’t go home to an empty fridge when you’re tired and hungry and turn to takeaways or ready meals – or raid an overstuffed treats cupboard. If you know you’re eating out one evening make sure you have a healthy lunch of soup or salad during the day. Heading to a party straight from work? Unless you eat beforehand, you won’t be able to resist wrecking your diet with every canapé that comes your way. So eat something light and healthy but filling, such as poached egg or beans on toast, if there are cooking facilities at work, before you go. Many Christmas parties ask you to select your meal choice in advance so you can choose something sensible that will help you manage your weight. Look out for lighter options like soup and fish, or ask for roast dinners without all the trimmings. Alcohol is the downfall of many a festive diet. It may be unrealistic to cut out alcohol completely at Christmas so try some of these tricks.

Alternate booze with water to halve your calorie intake, stick to white wine at 85 calories per glass, or white wine spritzers (made with half soda rather than lemonade) at just 42 calories a go. Avoid pastry-rich finger foods such as sausage rolls, vol-au-vents and quiches, and plump for protein where possible – chicken skewers, cheese, nuts or even mini sausages.

Vegetable sticks and dips are a good option but watch out for rich sauces such as sour cream. Go for salsa or hummus and, most importantly, only fill your plate once. They taste good but Christmas coffees in flavours such as gingerbread and eggnog can clock up a staggering 500 calories a time, with about 10 teaspoons of sugar. Nutritionist Linda Foster warns:“Just drinking a festive latte every day throughout December could add an extra 3,500 calories per week to your diet – equivalent to four pounds of extra weight by January 1.” When it comes to making festive roast potatoes avoid goose fat, butter or lard, and just brush on a little olive oil. Although still high in calories, this method contains only a fraction of unhealthy saturated fats and creates really crispy spuds. Cutting the potatoes into larger pieces will also mean they absorb less fat than smaller ones. You may be surprised to know that custard contains more calories per typical serving than cream or brandy butter – even if you make it with skimmed milk. So you’re better off opting for that tablespoon of cream after all. Yes, it’s Christmas, but you still have to bear in mind what a sensible portion size looks like on normal dinner plate. Here’s an easy way to remember: Pasta and rice: A fist-sized portion Protein: A palm-sized portion High-fat foods (e.g. cheese): A thumb-sized portion Vegetables: Have as many as you like. Potatoes: One average-sized spud