Christmas Buffet Tips

Eat, drink and be merry! That’s what we all think we should be doing during the festive Christmas period. And whilst you should certainly enjoy yourself, you don’t want to over indulge too much and undo all the good work of your healthy eating. This video has some tips for making healthier choices at the Christmas buffet.

Here are some simple diet tips that can help you in the run up to Christmas.

1. Party buffet food can be laden with calories and fat. So try to avoid fatty shop-bought foods such as sausage rolls, pastries, samosas, cocktail sausages etc. One tiny cocktail sausage can contain over 60 calories. Opt for low calorie fillings (ham, turkey, chicken), crudites with salsa dip, Twiglets, sushi rolls, and salads. Sweet treats such as mince pies, chocolates, mini desserts etc all help to add calories and it’s easy to forget just how much you’ve eaten when you standing around chatting to friends. Set yourself a limit, such as one mince pie and one mini eclair, and then stick to it.
2. Calories in alcohol also count. If you enjoy a large glass (250ml) of white wine, it could contain up to 240 calories – that’s the same as a bar of Fruit & Nut Dairy Milk! Try and be sensible with the amount you drink in the run up to Christmas. You could stick to smaller glasses, alternate with a glass of water or swap to white wine spritzers.
3. If you turn up hungry, you’re more likely to over indulge in nibbles, treats, or party food. Fill up before you go to an event and you’re less likely to snack or pick. Research shows that meals containing protein (meat, eggs, cheese, nuts) keep you feeling fuller for longer.
4. If you do overeat on one day, don’t give up. Instead, wake up the next day and start afresh.