Over the festive period many people find it hard to resist those little indulgencies but worry about putting on lots of weight, however you can still enjoy festive food and be healthy, as with most things, in moderation.

Christmas tends to be one of the most unhealthy times of year, everywhere you look Christmas goodies are thrown in your face, plentiful supplies of mince pies for the office, the extra drinks after work because ‘it Christmas’ and not forgetting the big day itself where many people seem to forget about portion control and gorge themselves on a big dinner and lots of chocolates biscuits and booze.

If you want to try and stay on top of your weigh this Christmas you don’t have to cut out all of the above, after all where is the fun in that?

Alcohol – Isn’t actually bad for you, if consumed in moderation, it actually can provide benefits that non drinkers miss out on like up to eight drinks a week (such as eight 125ml glasses of wine), or around one drink a day, can protect against osteoporosis. Or the occasional glass of red wine and sherry may protect against heart disease because of the polyphenols found in them. However with red wine and sherry drink too much you will feel the consequences, a thumping hangover.

Eating – The Christmas dinner isn’t that unhealthy, after all there are plenty of veg to be eaten which are very nutritional stock up on leafy greens like sprouts, also carrots, swede and roast parsnips, with just a couple of roast potatoes and lean turkey, for vitamin-, mineral- and fibre-rich food. You always find plenty of things to snack on and one of the main options are nuts, although high in fat they do contain unsaturated fat which is good for physical and mental health. They are also full of essential omega oils and other nutrients and if you go for unsalted and raw varieties like walnuts, brazils and almonds they make great snack choice in small amounts.

The main thing to remember over Christmas is to keep unhealthy fats to a minimum, however there is no need to restrict yourself completely, after all it is Christmas they odd mince pie wont harm!