Nobody should have to miss out on Christmas dinner, even if they’re losing weight. Here’s how dieters can enjoy Christmas dinner without fearing the scales in the new year.
Good news, turkey is packed with protein, vitamin B6 and B3.
These properties boost metabolism, and vitamin B6 can even prevent clogged arteries.
White meat is healthier than red, which is why turkey and chicken are often seen as wholesome substitutes for beef and lamb.
However, dieters should be aware that even turkey has its bad bits; those who are watching their waistline should steer clear of turkey legs and thighs, as these have a higher fat content.
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Another key staple of Christmas dinner is the mighty potato.
Roast potatoes, while delicious, can be a dieter’s nightmare when cooked in goose fat and sprinkled with salt.
Luckily, there are many alternatives to roast potatoes, such as roasted squash, turnips, carrots and radishes, which can be cooked without oil.
For those who want to enjoy a few roasties on December 25 (and who can blame them), they can opt for healthy methods of cooking which require low-cal cooking spray rather than oil.
DON’T MISS
Or, they can compromise and have a mixture of roast potatoes and roasted sweet potatoes, which have a high water content and are high in fibre too.
Vegetables are also high in fibre, meaning they can fill us up for longer, as well as being low-calorie.
One way of keeping Christmas calories down is by filling up on vegetables; broccoli, cauliflower and kale are just a few vegetables you can eat in limitless quantities without gaining weight.
As for sprouts, these are brimming with nutritional goodness and even have the power to lower blood sugar levels.
Pigs in blankets is a glorified fry-up and has little to nutritional value.
Bacon and sausages are not only red meat, but processed meat too.
But never fear, as there are ways of making pigs in blankets less fattening, for example by using healthier options such as turkey or chicken sausages, or even still, meat substitutes.
Failing that, just have a couple. Setting unrealistic goals sets dieters up for failure, especially during the festive season.
Allowing themselves to enjoy their favourite foods in moderation will encourage them to stick to their diets longer.
Medicine Net offered some yuletide advice: “Go easy on the gravy.”
The finishing touch to Christmas dinner can be extremely fatty.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offered some solutions: use a spoon with a wide mouth to skim fat from meat and poultry juices and refrigerate before serving and remove the fat that solidifies on top.