Going to a Christmas party this year or hosting your own and want to keep the weight loss plan on track? Then choose your nibbles carefully this December…
It’s not always easy to tell which snacks are high in sugar and calories because they are often so small and easy to pick up and eat without thinking, but a couple of sausage rolls and the calories soon mount up. If you are the person providing the snacks put out healthy ones.
Watch the labels and don’t just go for the low fat options, when the fat is removed sugar and artificial sweeteners can be added so be wary.
Figs are a good source of potassium, iron, magnesium, and calcium as well as being low in fat and high in fibre.
Unsalted nuts like cashews, almonds, and brazils provide zinc, calcium, and magnesium; toast them on a dry pan for a few minutes to bring out the flavours.
If you aren’t responsible for the snacks, steer clear of anything that’s been deep-fried.
Opt for dips like hummus and tzatziki, crudités, and spelt crackers. Chunks of French bread or a handful of cream crackers will double the calories. Instead, go for oat cakes and fill up on fruit. If you’re tempted by the cheeseboard, Cheddar, Stilton, goat’s cheese and Red Leicester are better choices than Brie, Camembert, and Edam.
Watch out for the alcohol! Choose pure spirits like vodka and gin which have fewer calories than beer, cider and wine, although champagne is low in calories too!
Have a happy festive season from Cathriona Hodgins, nutritional consultant, Athlone and Mullingar. Call (087 ) 6355643 or email [email protected].
