A sensible approach to eating and drinking alcohol is essential if you don't want to put on weight
Comfort eating, parties, drinks with friends and entertaining can send your calorie intake through the roof over the winter months. Did you know that a traditional Christmas dinner alone can total up to 6,000 calories? As every 3,500 calories are equal to one pound of weight, the maths are simple. Remember too, the hidden calories in alcoholic beverages add no goodness to your body, just weight, especially when you consume large amounts. Then there are all those tempting sweet treats we reach for during the dark days of winter.
With an extra intake of 500 calories a day, it takes just one week to gain a pound in weight. So to keep your weight under control this winter, here are a few tips.
Party sense- Don't go to a party hungry: we often eat faster and more when we are hungry. Have a good breakfast and lunch and you won't overeat.
- Go for small portions - it's easier to do if you are not starving.
- Stand and chat far away from the buffet.
- Decide to limit or stay away from sugary foods altogether. If you have a sweet tooth, make a piece of baked cake your treat. Stay away from mince pies and gooey desserts.
- Watching what you drink is probably the easiest way to control your calories at a party. No need to go without alcohol, but alternate with diet soft drinks.
- Don't skip meals to allow for drinks - alcohol lowers sugar levels, which in turn triggers hunger. You will end up with a late night takeaway full of calories. Much better to have a proper meal before you go out for a drink.
- Beware of the 'wine myth'. A large glass of dry white wine has approximately 150 calories. When you have drunk half a glass, top it up with soda water to give you more to drink without adding extra calories. A measure of vodka, gin or whisky has 50 calories and if you use a diet mixer, you do not add any calories at all.
Entertaining in the home- If you are a guest, pass on the pre-dinner nibbles: a handful of roasted nuts will add 300 calories to your intake even before you sit down at the table.
- Drive to your destination: this is the best deterrent from drinking too much calorie-laden alcohol. Enjoy one glass, then stick to fizzy water, fruit juice or diet drinks.
- Meats like turkey or chicken are good for you because they are rich in protein and relatively low in calories, but leave the fatty, calorie-laden skin on the plate.
- Pass on sweet sauces like cranberry and redcurrant. An average portion adds an unnecessary 80–90 calories.
- Say you are too full for dessert, or if you really can't refuse, pass on the cream or the ice cream.
Restraining the cook- Make sure you have non-alcoholic, low-calorie drinks to offer.
- Serve crudités with dips such as reduced fat humous or tzatziki rather than salted nuts.
- For tasty ideas consult a low-calorie cookbook.
- Check food labels for calorie content. If you are pushed for time, buy some pre-prepared vegetables to add to your cooking.
- For pies, use filo pastry instead of ordinary pastry: it has fewer calories.
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