With the average person putting on 5lb over the festive season, a new solution to the obesity crisis would be a timely gift.
Food and drink labels that tell you how much exercise is needed to burn off the calories contained within is the suggestion in a report by the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.
So how might those labels look for the food we scoff on Christmas Day? LORRAINE FISHER found out…
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CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST
COFFEE
One Americano with semi-skimmed milk — 20 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for four minutes. Or ice skating for two minutes.
BUCKS FIZZ
One 220ml glass — 110 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 22 minutes. Or aerobics for 17 minutes.
SMOKED SALMON
One 113g portion — 132 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 26 minutes or jogging for 12 minutes.
TOAST
One buttered white slice — 70 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 14 minutes or roller-blading for five minutes.
SCRAMBLED EGGS
Two eggs — 197 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 39 minutes or skiing for 22 minutes.
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TIPPLES AND CHOCS
CHAMPAGNE
One 125ml glass — 90 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 18 minutes or laughing for 56 minutes.
WHITE WINE
One large (250ml) glass — 228 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 45 minutes or window cleaning for nearly 45 minutes.
BAILEYS
A double — 163 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 32 minutes or mowing the lawn for nearly 40 minutes.
DESSERT WINE
One 120ml glass — 187 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 36 minutes or Zumba dancing for 22.5 minutes.
CHOCOLATES
Three from a box or tin — 132 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 26 minutes or washing dishes for 50 minutes.
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CHRISTMAS LUNCH
TURKEY
Three thick slices with skin — 194 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 38 minutes or kayaking for 35 minutes.
ROAST POTATOES
Small helping of potatoes roasted in goose fat — 320 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 62 minutes or one hour 36 minutes weeding the garden.
STUFFING
Two balls — 108 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 21 minutes or making the beds for half an hour.
GRAVY
A generous 75ml made from meat juices — 225 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 44 minutes or rock climbing for 27 minutes.
CRANBERRY SAUCE
Two tablespoons — 86 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 17 minutes or playing hopscotch for 25 minutes.
CARROTS
Two honey-glazed roasted carrots — 204 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 40 minutes or ten-pin bowling for just under 57 minutes.
PARSNIPS
One large roasted parsnip — 154 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 30 minutes or swimming breaststroke for nearly 13 minutes.
YORKSHIRE PUDDING
One large pud — 199 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 39 minutes or belly dancing for 34 minutes.
BREAD SAUCE
A generous dollop — 113 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 22 minutes or vacuuming for 20 minutes.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS
A 200g serving with bacon and chestnuts — 196 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 28 minutes or boxing for 13 minutes.
PIGS IN BLANKETS
Four small — 208 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 40 minutes or washing the car for 40 minutes.
CHRISTMAS PUDDING
A medium portion (110g) — 416 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 81 minutes or scrubbing floors for 66 minutes.
BRANDY BUTTER
Heaped tablespoon — 213 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 41 minutes or doing kung fu for 18.5 minutes.
SINGLE CREAM
A 30ml serving — 56 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 11 minutes or ironing for 22 minutes.
CHRISTMAS CAKE
A medium portion — 412 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 82 minutes or kickboxing for 33 minutes.
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…AND EVENING SNACK
MINCE PIE
One average shop-bought pie — 260 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 51 minutes or downhill skiing for 40 minutes.
CHEESE
30g of brie, 30g of stilton, 30g of cheddar — 345 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 68 minutes or skiing for 29 minutes.
CRACKERS
Three water biscuits — 115 calories.
Exercise needed: Walking for 23 minutes or circuit training for 11 minutes.