The pressies are all opened and Christmas dinner has finally finished. You're as full as a phonebook and can barely stand since you just consumed enough killa-joules to power a jumbo jet and you may be heading for a similar girth as one too. Well, there are other ways to eat and enjoy yourself at Christmas without ending up feeling like the stuffed Christmas turkey.

It's an old message but in our age of obesity it's a message worth paying attention to and Queensland Government Health Nutritionist, Lindy Spring, said that as
always, moderation is the key.

“It is unrealistic and also unneccessary to suggest that people should completely
avoid all fatty and/or sugary foods and alcohol,” said Ms Spring.

“What matters is how much of these things are consumed, and how they are
balanced out by healthy choices.

“A good rule of thumb to remember is that less healthy food choices should be used
in small amounts to complement healthy meals.”

“For example, sauces and dressings (usually high in fat) can be used to top off (not
drown!) a tasty garden salad.

“For dessert, a little bit of cream or ice cream can be added to a fresh tropical fruit
salad.”

Ms Spring said that if you drink alcohol, then consider something like a fresh fruit
cocktail (single nip of alcohol) or a Bloody Mary instead of a soft drink-based mixed
drink.

“Light beer or wine mixed with soda/mineral water are also better choices than the
standard heavy drinks,” added Ms Spring.

“It is also good practice to alternate every alcohol based drink with a glass of plain
water.”

Other tips for staying healthy over Christmas include:

• Avoid the pre-meal ‘nibblies’ — usually high in fat and/or sugar, and we tend
to fill up on them before the main meal is served. If you can’t go without, then
serve toasted flat bread pieces in place of chips, with celery, carrot and cherry
tomatoes cut up. Create your own dip using light cream or cottage cheese with
fresh herbs. Small bowls of dried fruit and plain nuts are also OK.

• Use a smaller plate for your meals — a full small plate is far more satisfying
than a half empty big plate (think of the meals served at trendy restaurants!).
Remember that half the plate should be used for salad or veges, one quarter
should be for carbs (low Glycaemic Index where possible) such as pasta, rice,
grain bread or corn, and the final quarter of the plate is for protein foods such
as fish, skinless chicken, roast meat with the fat removed or an egg-based
dish.

• Clear the table asap after the meal is finished to discourage picking at food
after you are already satisfied.

• Incorporate some physical activity into your day — perhaps an early
morning or evening walk, a game of cricket, a swim in the pool or something a
bit more adventurous like testing out the new in-line skates or bikes with the
kids!

Ms Spring said that ultimately the Christmas period is a time to enjoy food and drinks.

“By limiting the amount of unhealthy food and drinks we consume and ensuring that
we incorporate some physical activity, we will ensure that the good feeling continues
long after the new year arrives,” she said.