A low fat Christmas
Our tips for dieting during Christmas
Dieting during the festive period can put a bit of a downer on celebrations if you’re constantly counting calories. But by adopting a few simple eating principles there’s no reason why you can’t have your Christmas cake and eat it. A Healthy Christmas Dinner Turkey is known as being a meat that is low in fat. However, modern poultry production methods have meant that turkeys are bred with a higher fat content. Opt for free range turkeys which get more exercise and are lower in fat than barn reared birds. For your Christmas dinner choose a small portion of meat and remove the skin. Cook your roast potatoes in a small amount of vegetable oil rather than the customary goose fat. Opt for a large potato rather than a couple of small ones as the larger the potato the less surface area there is to absorb fat. Have plenty of boiled or steamed vegetables on your plate to avoid hunger pangs and the temptation to reach for another roast potato. Remember not to annihilate the sprouts by overcooking - there’s nothing worse than a soggy sprout. A gentle steam for 5 minutes cooks them perfectly and delivers a much better taste and texture. Swap pork based stuffing for a lighter vegetarian alternative. Sage, onion and chestnut stuffing is incredibly tasty and easy to make. Mix together chopped sage, onion, breadcrumbs and chopped cooked chestnuts with a little hot water before roasting in a small dish. Make sure the dish is lightly greased before putting in the oven. If you’re making the gravy, allow the juices from the turkey to cool and then skim the fat off the top to produce a low fat version without losing any of the taste. Make your own fresh cranberry sauce with a lower sugar content than shop bought varieties. Simmer together fresh cranberries with a tablespoon of water, a tablespoon of caster sugar and a splash of port. This is ready in around 10 minutes. Allow to cool before serving. Christmas dinner would not be complete without a christmas pudding to round it off. There's no reason why you shouldn't have a small portion accompanied by a tablespoon of half-fat creme fraiche instead of brandy butter or full fat cream.
