Christmas is a time to unfasten your waistband and let your belly out – but before the big day, there’s the festive party dress to fit into.
And shiny new outfits can start to feel tight all of a sudden if you over-indulge at the Christmas party buffet.
Though some may want to enjoy as much festive fare as possible, others may want to try and beat the bloat so that they don’t feel too uncomfortable.
These are the very easy, but still delicious, food swaps you can make at the party buffet to avoid a ‘food baby’, according to a personal trainer and nutrition expert.
And it could save you nearly 1,000 calories.
THE DRINKS
Eggnog can contain a whopping 440 calories per glass (left) so if you want to make healthier choices at your Christmas party, try swapping it for 106-calorie mulled wine instead (right)
Everyone loves a cheeky tipple at the work Christmas party, but many of our favourite festive drinks contain hundreds of hidden calories.
A glass of creamy Eggnog for example can contain a whopping 440 calories.
But you can still enjoy a boozy warm beverage, according to Julian Gaine, the founder of meal prep gadget MealKitt, who created the easy swaps.
You’ll save 334 calories, if you swap it for a glass of mulled wine instead, which typically contains 106 calories per glass.
Baileys is another classic Christmas tipple, but a measure contains 130 calories and 5g of fat.
Swap it instead for a crisp and refreshing slimline gin and tonic, which contains just 56 calories. It will save you 74 calories.
THE CANAPÉS
It’s not surprising that mini sausages wrapped in bacon (left) rack up several calories, and the canape could contain up to 132 kcal per bite. Try swapping them for seared scallops, which contain just 51 calories (right)
Many Christmas parties offer canapées instead of main courses, and often guests end up consuming hundreds of calories because they appear so small.
But some can contain a deceptively high number of calories.
A potato pancake with smoked salmon and cream cheese can rack up 132 calories per serving, for example, whereas you could enjoy 3 asparagus spears wrapped in smoked salmon for just 48 calories.
The swap saves 84 calories.
Pigs in blankets will set you back 153 calories, compared to a 51-calorie portion of seared scallops, which saves you 102 calories.
You should also try to avoid the deep-fried prawn spring rolls, if you are watching what you eat, as they can contain roughly 241 calories.
Instead opt for a grilled chicken skewer with sweet chilli sauce for just 150 calories, saving 91 calories.
THE DESSERTS
Mince pies contain 258 calories typically and they’re not a very healthy choice. Instead, swap them for a fresh fruit salad which contains just 100 calories and counts towards your five-a-day
Mince pies are utterly delicious and are a classic Christmas treat, however they can contain about 258 calories.
If you’re watching your waistline or want to make healthy choices, instead choose a fresh fruit salad, which contains 100 calories per serving. The swap saves you 158 calories.
And while the Christmas cake may be tempting, it does contain 219 calories per slice. Instead, opt for a scoop of ice cream at 138 calories, saving you 81 calories.
Making all these swaps will save you close to 1,000 calories.