7 Ways to Reduce Your Calorie Intake over Christmas ...

One of the ways to reduce your calorie intake over Christmas is to cut down on the amount of alcohol you drink. It's just empty calories, and it will be better for you not to drink every day anyway. Don't feel obliged to take an alcoholic drink; you can drink water or a soft drink with your meal.

If you're going out for a meal or eating at a friend's house, make your other meal of the day a light one. Something like soup or a salad is ideal. It'll be good for your digestion not to eat two heavy meals, as well as your calorie intake. If you end up eating out twice in the same day, simply ask for small portions at one of the meals or pass on a starter.

If you can't resist something, take a smaller portion - and don't have more because you ate a smaller portion the first time! That way you can enjoy everything you fancy without packing on the pounds. As they say - everything in moderation! You may need some restraint to stop yourself wanting more (and a generous host may keep offering you another serving!).

If you're eating out, a good way to cut calories is to pass on one of the courses. A starter plus main or main plus dessert will probably be more than adequate to fill you up. If you're eating at home, simply avoid serving a starter; if you really want to offer one to your guests, pick a light starter like melon or give yourself a smaller portion than you offer to everyone else.

It's too easy to take another handful of nuts or another chocolate , but snacks, chocolates, and other sweet treats are a pretty good way of piling on the calories over Christmas. Limit how much of these you eat or avoid them altogether. Don't keep helping yourself just because they're there in front of you or are being passed round.

You can also save calories by choosing a better method of cooking. Even roast potatoes can be done with only a small amount of oil. The best way to cook vegetables is to steam them. If you're serving accompaniments like sauces, avoid using cream and oil, and make a lighter sauce instead.

Finally, it's tough to resist bringing out all the delicious calorie-laden treats that you've stocked up on for Christmas. So avoid temptation by not buying so many things. You can't eat what you don't have! This doesn't mean you'll be depriving yourself of all the lovely Christmas treats, just being more selective about what you have in your cupboard.

So you can still enjoy delicious meals over Christmas without piling on the pounds! What festivities have you got planned over the Christmas holidays?