PASS THE CHEESEBOARD

Why not skip dessert and go straight for the cheeseboard this Christmas? While many people see cheese as the ultimate guilty pleasure, it does have its benefits. Cheese is a good source of calcium and protein and most types are also fermented, which means they can boost your gut health. Eating 45g of Parmesan every day for a week led to a notable rise in bifidobacteria in the gut, which have antioxidant benefits, an Italian study found.

On the other hand, cheese is also high in saturated fats and salt, but so far research has failed to show that it actually harms cardiovascular health. In fact, dairy fat consumption was linked to a lower risk of heart disease in a Swedish study. Eat a variety of quality cheeses made in small batches where possible – factory-made products tend to contain more additives and aren’t aged for as long, so won’t contain as many (or any) gut-friendly microbes. And of course, nibble in moderation!