Our friends at the British Dietetic Association (BDA) estimate that the average reveller puts on 5lbs over the Christmas party season. Here’s how to keep those extra calories at bay, but still have a jolly good time
Chances are you’ve been good in the run-up to December because you want to eat and drink a bit more than usual. That’s normal, but just a word of warning: the Christmas season is notorious for unexpected weight gain, and it’s accepted by many that the average person may eat an estimated 500 additional calories a day this month, resulting in a possible weight gain of 5lb.
Here are our five top tips for enjoying the festive party season, while still maintaining a healthy balance and body.
Eat hearty before the party
Decide whether to fill up on food of your choice, or run the risk of a limited choice at the buffet table, usually consisting of fat-filled stodgy offerings such as quiche, sausage rolls, and deep-fried samosas. Have something hearty, healthy and filling before you make your grand entrance, like veg soup or low-fat hummus with oatcakes. Also, this tactic means you won’t be drinking on an empty stomach.
Step to it
If you’re driving to the party, park a little further away and enjoy a brisk winter walk to the venue (if safe to do so). Not only will the walk be good exercise, it will also get the blood coursing through your veins and will inject you with a burst of energy. Driving to the party also means you will avoid those calorific alcoholic drinks, but keep an eye on soft drinks too as they can contain a lot of added sugar. Go for a diet version if you can, or add fizzy water to dilute juices and cordials.
Limit the festive fizz
Slade is still blasted out at every Christmas party, but don’t let this (and that Mariah Carey offering) drive you to drink! Brightly-coloured cocktails are often full of added sugar, cream and ‘congeners’, that hangover ingredient mostly found in darker spirits like whisky and rum. If you decide to drink try sticking to a refreshing white wine spritzer (less alcohol and fewer calories), and alternate your alcoholic drinks with water, low calorie soft drinks, or unsweetened fruit juice mixed with fizzy water.
Get your groove on
Dancing the night away is a great form of exercise, so go mad to the likes of Shakin’ Stevens, the Pogues and Wizzard. Boogying is also the perfect distraction from drinking and eating more. Just remember to drink lots of water throughout the night to maintain your disco dancing prowess.
Giving her views on the Christmas party season, Sian Porter, consultant dietician and BDA spokesperson, said: “It’s not about pouring water over the fun and festivities; it’s about being a little mindful of what we consume during this festive season. However you decide to approach the Christmas party season, the British Dietetic Association wishes everybody a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2014!”
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