Staying trim during Christmas

With the silly season fast approaching Ellen Irvine finds ways we can trim the fat but not the fun from Christmas Day dinner.
It's the season to be jolly - and to add inches to your waistline.
Christmas parties, family celebrations, and camping holidays mean the usual healthy eating and exercise plans go out the window for many.
"I do find my clients say to me in the new year they have quite a lot of weight to lose," registered dietician Rachel Scrivin of FoodFX said.
"Christmas theoretically is a day but the celebrations go for a month. It's all the parties, and the lead-up and the gatherings.
"You have to keep it in perspective - all these things add up."
Luckily, experts say you don't have to start the new year carrying extra weight.
Mrs Scrivin, who is sports nutritionist for the Bay of Plenty Steamers, said portion control was the key to enjoying Christmas but keeping the weight off. "If you are going to have a piece of cake, keep the portion small.
"Fill up your plate with salad and carbs first and have a small portion of meat. Make meat the second or third thing you put on your plate."
When it comes to Christmas dinner, she suggests trimming the fat from ham and removing the skin from chicken and turkey.
Steer clear of the chocolates, Christmas pudding, cake and mince pies in favour of lighter options.
Mrs Scrivin makes a healthy version of ambrosia - mix 1kg of Greek or passionfruit yoghurt with plenty of fresh, frozen and canned berries and sprinkle with chocolate buttons or chocolate hail.
Mrs Scrivin showed the Steamers tips on how to make barbecues healthier - such as making kebabs with eggplant and stirfrying capsicum on the barbecue with a little oil.
She recommends falafel mix, which you can cook on the barbecue in little balls - the Steamers thought it was "fantastic".
Avoid garlic bread and stick to plain varieties, with dipping sauces on the side.
But it's not just about what you eat - alcohol is a "biggie" at this time of year, Mrs Scrivin says.
She suggests not drinking every day and alternating alcoholic drinks with water when you do have a tipple.
An alcohol-free punch made with ginger ale, lemons and lime was a refreshing alcohol-free drink.
And clear spirits with tonic or water and lemon or lime juice are preferable to wine.
"Wine is generally quite heavy and you are quite inclined to finish a bottle."
Look out for low-alcohol and low-carb beers - but check the label, as low-carb beers can still be high calorie.
Off-set the extra food with exercise. Mrs Scrivin said gyms tended to be empty at this time of the year as many people pack in their usual work-outs in favour of socialising.
Exercise first thing in the morning to avoid distractions.
"Get it out of the way, and it makes you feel good for the rest of the day. As the day goes on, you are less likely to want to do it. If you put it off, it won't happen."
And get the family involved on Christmas Day by incorporating some activity, whether it's a trip to the beach or a brisk walk.
"A little outing is quite a good idea on Christmas Day. You might go down to the beach before eating or after go for a walk."
Tauranga nutritionist Fiona Boyle of Food Solutions suggested having a little something you really want, rather than digging into everything on the Christmas smorgasbord.
"If you are at a place where there's lots of choice, with three or four desserts, have a good look at what's there and work out which one you really want to taste.
"Take a small serve of something you really want to taste and enjoy rather than having all of them."
Allowing yourself a treat means a blow-out is less likely.
"As soon as you say 'I can't have any of that', you set unrealistic goals," Ms Boyle said.
"You feel guilty if you have anything and you think 'what the hell, I've broken it' and it goes out the door."
When eating out, don't feel obliged to eat everything on your plate - stick to your usual serving size.
"I always encourage people to look at what's being served on the plate and think 'is this how much you would usually eat?'
"Often in a social situation you might be talking and socialising rather than tuning into how much you are eating."
And don't skip a meal because you know you're going out later - it could just lead to an even bigger blow-out.
"They arrive at the dinner absolutely starving and if there are nibbles beforehand they eat more.
"They are better to have a good satisfying meals like they normally would."
She advised watching out for the "extras" on the Christmas dinner table - they do more damage than the main meal itself.
"It's the nuts and chocolates, the whipped cream and runny cream and ice cream and brandy sauce."
Plenty of water on the table will reduce the amount of alcohol drunk.
But Ms Boyle also advised to watch out for calorie-laden soft drinks and juices.
And if you're socialising or camping with friends, make sure there's something healthy to eat by bringing low-fat crackers and dips and vegetable sticks.
"A lot of my clients say they are going away for two weeks camping, there will be lots of socialising and drinking.
"It's not Christmas Day per se, it's the lead up to it and holiday after it that are more the concern."
See Saturday's Bay of Plenty Times for a Christmas menu that won't pile on the pounds.