Could a frozen banana help stop festive bloating?

From piles of honey-roasted parsnips to second helpings of Christmas pudding, the festive period revolves around one thing: food.

 

Blended frozen bananas are a great substitute for ice cream

 

It’s simple, if you eat too much you will gain weight

Dannii Martin

In fact new research has revealed that a third of us will consume 8,500 calories on Christmas Day alone as well as a further 6,000 on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve.

Statistics show that consuming just twice the recommended calorie intake over the festive period will cause us to gain an average of 6lb.

“It’s simple, if you eat too much you will gain weight,” says Dannii Martin, author of blog and cookbook Hungry Healthy Happy (hungryhealthyhappy.com).

Dannii, who started her blog after losing 7st by eating healthy versions of her favourite foods, says we can still enjoy a bit of what we love without putting on weight.

Here she shares her top tips for beating the bulge over the festive period.

 

Greek Yoghurt can be a good replacement for cream on a Christmas pudding

 

MAKE SMART SWAPS

Have a dollop of Greek yogurt rather than cream with your Christmas cake.

Make open top mince pies, using the pastry on the base only. If you’re having a buffet, opt for tomato salsa over cream-based dips.

If you’re craving ice cream, slice up a couple of bananas, freeze them then blitz them in a food processor. The result is deliciously sweet and creamy and tastes exactly like ice cream.

BREAKFAST BOOST

Many people forget about breakfast and eat a handful of chocolates washed down with bucks fizz.

Breakfast is the ideal time to get all your fruit, veg and nutrients for the day before you move on to sweets and treats.

Try making a green smoothie with banana, frozen cherries, almond milk and spinach.

WATER WORKS

Have a glass of water in between each alcoholic drink.

Most people tend to mistake thirst for hunger, which makes them eat much more than they need to.

If you find water boring and hard to drink add a slice of lemon to jazz it up.

Alcoholic drinks are often full of empty calories

 

MINDFUL MUNCHING

Only indulge in foods you really like rather than just picking at them because they are there.

When reaching for whatever chocolates are left in the tin, such as a coffee cream, ask yourself, “Why am I eating this? Do I even like coffee creams?”

If you do, carry on. If you’re just munching on autopilot then step away from the tin.

WALKING IN THE AIR

Nobody expects you to be in the gym at 6am on Christmas Day but a little exercise is better than none.

A short walk, even for just 15 minutes, will help your body to digest food and burn a few extra calories.

PORTION CONTROL

Going to a friend’s or relative’s house means you may not have control over what you’re eating.

Ask if you can help plate up the food and when it comes to your plate fill half with vegetables and another quarter with protein, leaving less room for fatty foods.

Once you’re done, don’t go back for seconds.



Fry-ups are not always the best way to cure a hangover



 

FRY-UP FAUX PAS

Chances are you’ll wake up on Boxing Day with a slight hangover and craving savoury, salty food.

But you won’t find the solution at the bottom of a frying pan as a fry-up will make you feel bloated and sluggish.

Opt for a healthy, protein packed omelette instead. Fill it with nutritious vegetables such as spinach and courgette.

DRINK IN MODERATION

Alcohol contains empty calories which soon add up. Cocktails are the worst offenders as they are full of sugar.

A cosmopolitan contains around 220 calories. So stick to gin and slimline tonic, Champagne or vodka soda, which are all around 100 calories per serving.

Of you still fancy a cocktail try vodka, soda, a touch of cranberry juice and a squeeze of lime (around 130 calories).

It’s hydrating with minimal sugar yet still tastes great.