Simple tips to help you eat, drink and be healthy this Christmas

At Christmas we're always surrounded by lots of lovely food and drink. While there is no reason to feel guilty about enjoying yourself, it's worth remembering that, on average, people gain about 5lbs (2kg) over Christmas.

The traditional Christmas foods such as mince pies, Christmas pudding and Christmas cake can still be enjoyed but just don’t eat too many or too much in one go. Spread them out over the Christmas period.

Simple tips to help you eat, drink and be healthy:

• Try melon - due to its high water content melon is a great source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C
• Smoked salmon - salmon is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, needed to keep your heart healthy
• Have a hearty vegetable soup as a starter
• Turkey is low in fat and high in protein so tuck in – but don't eat the skin or you'll add lots more fat and calories
• Roast potatoes using pure vegetable oil, olive oil or sunflower oil rather than lard - and cut them into large chunks, as these absorb less fat than small ones
• Fill up on vegetables. Brussels sprouts, peas and carrots all contain antioxidants - substances which may help protect against heart disease and cancer
• Do not cook your vegetables in butter or any other fatty spreads. They are all low in calories and fat, and contribute to the five portions of fruit and vegetables you need every day
• When making gravy, let the fat from the turkey juices rise to the surface, then skim it off and use what's left behind
• It's usually all the little extras that pile on the calories – try and grill your sausages and bacon, use a fruit based stuffing and make bread sauce with low fat milk
• You could also prepare a fresh fruit salad and serve with natural yoghurt
• While a couple of glasses of red wine may be good for your heart, too much won't help you feel at your best. Why not alternate your alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic ones

Got the nibbles?

Snacking on nibbles over the Christmas period can pile on the pounds so try some of these lower fat alternatives:

• Vegetable crudite, breadsticks or mini pittas with low fat dips or tomato salsa
• Chopped fruit on cocktail sticks eg mango, melon, pineapple, banana and grapes
• Olives, gherkins or cocktail onions
• Toasted bread circles topped with a little reduced fat cream cheese and a little wafer thin ham, chicken, turkey or smoked salmon
• Reduced fat mozzarella, tomato and fresh basil leaf, or pieces of fruit and reduced fat cheddar or brie on cocktail sticks
• Popcorn sprinkled with pepper or paprika instead of the usual toffee and butterscotch
• Chestnuts are the only low fat nuts around, so roast a few and leave the salted peanuts to one side
• Dried fruit makes a tasty snack - dates, figs and apricots are all good choices
• Above all enjoy yourself - and don't forget that being active will help you work off those extra calories!

General tips:

• Remember to plan your meals and continue to have the appropriate texture for the stage that you are at
• Stop eating as soon as you feel full
• Your small stomach can only hold a cupful of food
• Continue to chew your food well and eat slowly
• Drink in between your meals
• Remember to follow your individual diet sheet

Additional tips:

• Keep busy play games
• Take in some fresh air and go for a good walk
• Try not to pick and don’t have bowls of high calorie snacks around
• Don’t panic
• Take your time and pace yourself throughout the day
• Use a small plate for your meal
• Enjoy your Christmas meal - just have a smaller portion of it
• Don’t over buy food

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and a successful New Year from the bariatric team at Spire Manchester Hospital.

Spire Weight Loss Support Group Dates 2020

Our weight loss support groups are informal patient-led meetings held at Spire Manchester Hospital. These sessions are designed to help patients with the lifestyle changes associated with bariatric treatment and general weight loss support.

Time: 7pm - 8.30pm

Location: Spire Manchester Hospital's Conference Centre

Dates:

• Tuesday 28 January
• Tuesday 3 March
• Tuesday 21 May
• Tuesday 7 July
• Tuesday 15 September
• Tuesday 17 November

These meetings are facilitated by the bariatric team:

LA Dietitians
Louise Coyle and Alison Whitworth: team@ladietitians.com / 0161 408 3355

Bariatric Nurse
Suzanne Egan: 0161 447 6779

For more information about our weight loss services, please visit our treatment page.