Weight loss: Eat this Christmas dinner staple to lose weight

Weight loss at Christmas time might be the last thing on your mind, but the piles of food on your plate might just be better for you than first thought. Although most of us enjoy the traditional roast turkey, pigs in blankets and roast potatoes, the vegetables are also a key part of Christmas dinner, with Brussels sprouts rising in popularity over the years. While the addition of Brussels at Christmas is hated by some, those who love the Christmassy veg may be in with an added health benefit. Vegetables should be packed into your diet on a daily basis, but including Brussels sprouts can contribute to weight loss.

A 2015 study found starchy vegetables, such as broccoli, gave adults a boost at keeping off the pounds.

The study, published in the journal PLOS Medicine, looked at the diet habits and weight changes in 133,468 men and women for up to 24 years.

They found that eating more fruit and several vegetables was linked to weight loss over a given four-year period.

Investigators explained: “Notably, higher-fiber, lower-glycemic load vegetables (for example, broccoli and Brussels sprouts) were more strongly inversely associated with weight change than lower-fiber, higher-glycemic load vegetables (for example, carrots and cabbage).”

The researchers also noted weight gain among those who increased their consumption of starchy vegetables such as potatoes.

Brussels sprouts are packed with vitamins A, K and C.

Vitamin K is necessary for blood clotting and bone health, while vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps promote iron absorption and immune function.

Meanwhile, vitamin A is important for lots of things including vision, the immune system and keeping skin healthy.

As Brussels are rich in antioxidants, which reduce oxidative stress in your cells, they can help lower your risk of chronic disease – according to Healthline.

The vegetable has also been found to protect against carcinogens or cancer-causing agents.

With Christmas just a matter of days away, DW Fitness First took a closer look at the calorie-content of some festive favourites.

They found roast turkey with all the trimmings could equate to around 812 calories.

However, a report by The Mirror suggests that the figure could be closer to 1,450 calories.

Meanwhile, Christmas pudding is thought to have around 340 calories, but this depends on the brand and serving size.

If you enjoy a first helping and then an extra half, this could mean you’ll consume the same amount of calories that you’d burn by heading off on a five mile run.

Mince pies’ calorie content is almost just as shocking, with around 230 calories thought to be in each serving.

A Christmas Eve staple for many, a glass of mulled wine contains an average of 119 calories per serving.