Savvy party swaps

Our calorie-saving tricks will mean you won’t miss out this Christmas

The Christmas Lunch

Swap 3tbsp potatoes, roasted in oil (149 cals) For 3tbsp potatoes, dry-roasted (109 cals) TIP Instead of high-cal goose fat, sprinkle parboiled potatoes with salt, spray with low-cal oil and roast. Save 40 cals Swap 3 ‘pigs in blankets’ (198 cals) For 2tsp chestnut stuffing (90 cals) TIP opt for a portion of chestnut stuffing – it’s lower in fat and high in energyboosting potassium. Save 108 cals Swap 3tbsp Christmas pudding (329 cals) For 5tbsp fruit salad with 2tsp single cream (102 cals) TIP Can’t go without pud? serve it with single cream, or 1tbsp low-fat custard or greek yogurt, if you prefer. Save 227 cals

The buffet

Swap 2 mini cheese straws (120 cals) For 2 breadsticks (80 cals) TIP Breadsticks have a lower salt content than cheese savouries, too. Save 40 cals Swap 1 prawn cocktail vol-au-vent (160 cals) For 1 mini thai fishcake (50 cals) TIP try to avoid anything encased in pastry – tricky on a buffet table, we know! – but it can add around 100 calories. Save 110 cals Swap handful of peanuts (150 cals) For handful of monkey nuts (97 cals) TIP Peanuts are roasted in salt, which can cause fluid retention and bloating – so best avoided if you want to keep a flat tum! Save 53 cals Swap 2 cocktail sausage rolls (300 cals) For 2 cocktail sausages on sticks (80 cals) TIP Dip sausages in mustard for extra zing! Save 220 cals

Sweet treats

Swap 4 Quality street (160 cals) For 4 turkish Delight (88 cals) TIP turkish Delight is also low in fat – serve it with fresh fruit slices. Save 72 cals Swap: 1 Belgian chocolate (65 cals) For 1 dried date (33 cals) TIP Full of digestion-boosting fibre, dates count as one of your five-a-day. Save 32 cals Swap: 1 deep-filled mince pie (270 cals) For 1 iced-top mince pie (229 cals) TIP switch the pastry top and save 11% cholesterolraising saturated fat. Save 41 cals Swap: a small slice of stollen (230 cals) For a small slice of chocolate log (153 cals) TIP some stollens are made with trans fats – they’re the worst kind for your heart. Save 77 cals

Swap 150ml glass Champagne (111 cals)

For 150ml glass Buck’s Fizz (95 cals)

TIP topping up your glass of bubbly with orange juice adds valuable immuneboosting vitamin C and may help you avoid going overboard on the fizz, too! Save 16 cals Swap single shot of malt whisky (64 cals) For single shot of vodka (50 cals) TIP add a zero-calorie cola or lemonade to make your drink last longer – and don’t forget to have a glass of water between alcoholic drinks, too. Save 14 cals Swap Piña colada (525 cals) For margarita (170 cals) TIP a creamy piña colada is loaded with sugary calories, while a margarita can be made with zero-calorie soda. a simple – and still delicious – way to avoid consuming too many calories during the festive period. Cheers! Save 355 cals