Christmas is a holiday of complete, unadulterated indulgence. Bucks Fizz for breakfast, chocolate boxes passed round before lunch, heaps of deliciously crispy roast potatoes, topped off with buttery mince pies in front of the telly – we could go on.
It’s estimated that on Christmas Day alone, we consume over 5,000 calories. That’s twice the recommended daily average for men and almost three times the RDA for women. When you also factor in the fact that most of us spend the day moving very little, it makes this figure more startling. And that’s not even including the alcohol-fuelled days leading up to the main event.
We’re all guilty of it, and this over-indulgence is nothing to feel ashamed about – it’s Christmas, after all! The festive season simply wouldn’t be the same without fantastic food, but if you’re feeling a little more health conscious this year, there are lots of ways in which you can treat yourself – and fill your belly – without going overboard. Whether you’re watching your weight or simply want to pack more nutrition into your Christmas lunch, here are just a few ideas on how to have a healthier Christmas.
Pack in more veg
Traditionally, Christmas dinners were always packed with a wide variety of vegetables, including the likes of carrots, parsnips, Brussels sprouts and cabbage. However, over the years many of our plates have become more and more beige, due in part to the tempting selection of party food that now fills supermarket shelves (pigs in blankets, we’re looking at you).
This Christmas, Why not make it your mission to make your plate as colourful as possible? Having a good serving of vegetables will add vitamins, minerals and fibre, and help you towards your five a day. If you’re in charge of the cooking, try steamed or boiled vegetables, and steer clear of cheese sauces, honey dressings and excess amounts of butter.
Take it slowly
A common mistake many of us make at Christmas is not listening to our body. Instead of loading up your plate at lunch, eat a normal-sized portion before taking a twenty-minute break to see if you’re still hungry. This is how long it takes for the brain to register that the stomach is full. If you feel full, you know it’s time to take a break before going back for seconds. By eating in this way, you’ll avoid the formidable food coma – plus, you’ll be hungry again in time for dessert!
Enjoy a Christmas walk
On Christmas Day, it can be tempting to laze around on the sofa for the majority of the day, other than the hour or two spent sitting at the dining table, of course. While movie marathons are a tradition for many families, there’s nothing like a Christmas walk to boost your festive spirits – and offer a break between films.
Take the family for a 30-minute walk around the park after lunch and bring along any new bikes, scooters, footballs or frisbees. You’ll have lots of fun as a family, and you’ll give your body a chance to digest your Christmas lunch!
Go easy on the booze
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a tipple or two. From warm mulled wine and spiced rum to Baileys on the rocks, alcohol is synonymous with festive cheer.
However, when we’re at home it’s easy to lose track of how much we’re drinking. If you want to cut back, check the labels on bottles to see how many units they contain. The guidelines recommend drinking fourteen units a week which, in the lead up to Christmas, it’s easy to exceed. Try to keep tabs on how much you’re drinking, and intersperse alcoholic drinks with soft ones. You could also add more mixer to any spirits to make them last longer, and refrain from drinking early on in the day.
Upgrade your snacks
Snacks and nibbles are everywhere come Christmastime. From cheese platters and honey-roasted nuts to shortbread biscuits and endless amounts of chocolate, festive temptations are now arriving in our supermarkets as early as September – which makes them hard to ignore!
While it’s fine to indulge in the odd mince pie, there are loads of healthier snack options that you can put together at home. Why not try chocolate protein balls packed with dates and raisins, apple chips spiced with cinnamon or avocado chocolate mousse? ‘Healthier’ by no means has to mean boring!
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