I can't believe that it is Christmas already! A time For Family, Friends and Festive fare!

A traditional Christmas Dinner is very healthy! Really it is!

Healthy Eating at Christmas, is it possible without being a party pooper?

Yes of course it is! A Traditional Christmas Dinner is actually a very well balanced meal. So eat plenty of Turkey (or whatever you have as your protein source) and as many of those lovely green vegetables as you can manage! I love sprouts.... If you are sticking with Macros its so easy!

Remember the heavy calories come from sugars and starchy foods. So if you want to, ease back on the Cranberry sauce, the honey glazed carrots, parsnips and potatoes....note I didn't say don't have them!

Puddings, well that can be the landmine, especially for me with a sweet tooth! But it is Christmas so enjoy what you fancy. Portion size is key in this, it does not have to be a huge portion of Christmas Pudding and Brandy Sauce... or a mound of Profiteroles and double cream. I personally prefer Chocolate Fondants and found Dark, Sugar Free Chocolate to make them....

We just buy too much food!

If it is not there, we can't eat it. Why do "we" buy so much food for Christmas?

If you have braved the queues in the supermarkets yesterday. You will have noticed trollies (yes I observed 3 with one family!) stuffed with all sorts of food! I wondered how many guests they are having for dinner.... must have been 50! But on a serious note. With some much food wasted and people not able to afford to feed themselves. Should we not just shop for what we need for Christmas Day and perhaps Boxing Day? The shops are open on the 27th after all! That way we won't over eat? (I hear you saying, "Bah Humbug"). Well if we didn't buy 5 tins of chocolates and 10 packs of biscuits to munch on whilst the favourite Christmas Movie is playing. You wouldn't feel obliged to eat them!

Christmas Drinks, how to ensure you are back in the gym!

Christmas Drinks, thats where most of those hidden calories really come from.

I am not a big drinker, but do like a drink with my family and friends. But I do like to make sure what I do drink is not filled with sugar. So I avoid mixers with sugar in them. Even diet drinks with artificial sweeteners? I won't go into the detail but there are really conflicting studies on the effect of these.

So what do you drink?

A glass of Prosecco is actually fewer calories than a glass of white wine. (If that’s not an excuse to drink bubbles, I don’t know what is!).

Below, I have listed some low calorie alcoholic drinks. So you’ll never have to say no to a catch-up over cocktails or feel guilty heading to the bar after work for a quick drink with your colleagues!

A flute of champagne ~ 84 cals

The best festive tipple? A glass of champers! The real deal will cost you just over 80 calories but it is totally worth it.

A flute of Prosecco ~ 80 calories

A less expensive option over Champagne. You don’t have to skip on the bubbles if you’re trying to be good.

Bloody Mary ~ 90 calories

Starting early? Don't fancy fizz? Add some extra spices and freshly ground black pepper!

Red Wine ~ 75 calories

A small glass has around 75 calories, depending on levels of sweetness.

A small glass of white wine ~ 87 calories

A small glass has around 87 calories, depending on levels of sweetness. So pudding wine is not my tipple with a pudding!

A gin and tonic ~ 97 calories

Gin lovers rejoice, you know that your favourite spirit is also pretty low in calories. Especially with Tonic Water, avoid bitter lemon or lemonade!

A martini ~ 73 calories

If you are keen to make the most of happy hour, this is perfect cocktail to choose.

A single vodka, lime and soda ~ 76 cals

This is a real thirst-quencher and is super tasty.

A single Malt whiskey, Rum or Brandy ~ 72 calories

These dark spirits are at just over 70 calories for a single shot. I like a boozy coffee to finish off dinner.

So go and enjoy your Christmas fare! Eat what you fancy, but if you want to, just try to avoid the sugar filled mixers and too many chocolates and biscuits.

I wish you all a very Happy Christmas!

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Danni X