Hi there,

Anyone planning a nice 'healthy' Christmas dinner that won't do too much damage to the weight loss efforts?

Please share your ideas!

I know turkey is good for you - guess it's all the trimmings that make it calorific!

I always end up slumped on the couch having ate far too much! This year, I might tempt the family into a nice long walk before or after dinner to stop us all getting sluggish with no energy to enjoy the day. I also think spreading the meal out with plenty time between courses might help!

erm i dont tend to do courses anyway on christmas day so for me itll be dry roasted potatoes and parsnips/carrots (you really cant tell the difference!!) low sugar cranberry sauce, low fat sausages in reduced sodium bacon, turkey with no skin, boiled brussels served still v green and crunchy with a little chopped pancetta, and home made gravy made without fat.

For desert i have made home made christmas cake which is very light and packed with goji berries, walnuts, raisins, cherries and cranberries!

the cake isnt iced either, so i shall do it with some whipped elmlea. nice low cal version! x

As Christmas comes but once a year, I plan on enjoying my Christmas dinner to its fullest. I have a roast once in a blue moon, so there's really no way I can see myself being very restrained. I think going on a nice walk (weather permitting!) is a good idea to make myself feel a little bit more healthy on the day itself, but really, I plan on just relaxing like everyone else. My whole family is thin and they manage to eat plates of Christmas dinner every year, so I plan on doing the same. If I put on a few pounds around that time, it's nothing I can't lose again, and I consider it worth it for complete and utter enjoyment of a delicious and rare meal with my family.

tiny, can i recommend jamie olivers new book, his recipe for a roast is very healthy we eat it once a week at least xx

I think that you can still have the traditional Christmas Dinner by just making a few minor changes. Have a nice lean roast or just pick a lean piece; fill your plate up with lots of the veggies and salads served; have a bit of everything else. It's really the amounts we eat I think; there's nothing wrong with turkey or a nice roast beef or ham. As for the desserts, I still have them, only I have a smaller slice of pie.

After all, it's just one day; I don't think one day will make that much difference, especially if you watch what you eat the day before and after. I think you can enjoy yourself just like you normally would. We are having guests here this year; and I'm serving what I usually do, a menu based around what we and our guests like.

I must admit that we aren't the type to eat seconds anymore; although there's nothing like mash with gravy. I make my dressing using whole wheat bread with celery and onions; and roast some yams (sweet potatoes), carrots, and turnip [parsnips are nice too]. I try to have a variety of veggies and one salad to make sure everyone has something they like; and we will have a dessert which will likely be two kinds of pie as it's a favorite.

The only thing I am not doing anymore is a pile of baking; I stopped that a few years back. People just weren't eating it anymore, so I was left with gobs of the stuff; now I have just a few munchies (nuts and cereal bits & bites are the most popular with our friends). And the best thing is that I get to spend time with them instead of slaving in the kitchen.

I usually give my guests a little treat to take home like chocolate or nuts, according to their preferences which I inquire about ahead of time. We even buy them a small gift, as they have no other family to spend this holiday with; and I know they appreciate it too.

The whole point of this occasion is to enjoy ourselves and share time with our family and friends; and the joy of good food is all a part of that ...

Oo, fabulous! I'd love to be able to make a roast more regularly, and I admit, part of the reason I don't do it more often is because I do think it's quite unhealthy. I'll definitely be checking this out, I love Jamie Oliver. Is this the new book that went with that Ministry of Food programme? Thanks so much for the recommendation!

Thanks for the great ideas, ladies!

I fully intend to enjoy Christmas and definitely won't be counting the calories that day - but there's a fine line between 'enjoy' and 'binge' where I am concerned! I think if I can make the usual Christmas day dinner a bit healthier, all the better and as PrettyPaula says you can make small healthy changes and hardly notice the difference as far as taste goes!

I hope you all have a great day when it comes.

Anyone got any party nights/lunches planned in the lead in to the big day? I have a work's lunch - really looking forward to it!

dont put butter on your veg is stage one. if i could find my rosemary conley mag i could help you even more cos she did a whole article on christmas dinners and how to save calories.

In my case, I still eat what I used to (excluding any "kid snacks", junk food, and chocolate... I eat way less bred and pasta too. My plan is to just eat whatever I want, slowly, and till I feel full... not over full till I'm about to explode. And I'm going to allow myself ONE SMALL desert.

I think it is ok to indulge on that one day - well just for the Christmas dinner - otherwise you will not enjoy yourself. I have no idea what I will be eating as I am vegetarian and my brother does the Christmas dinner. In the past I have had polenta and vegs, veggie sausages and Quorn roast. I am never particularly bothered about the main thing but unfortunately I do like roast potatoes and all those lovely gravies and sauces - I would be happy with just roast spuds, brussels sprouts, bread sauce, cranberry sauce and veggie onion gravy!!!

I am not even bothered much about Christmas pudding and mince pies but if there is no trifle for tea there is merry **** to pay!