Don't let festive feasts leave you feeling guilty

The festive feelings are in full swing and with the holidays comes many opportunities to tuck into treats which taste great, but aren't good for your waistline.

You needn't feel guilty though as that's what this time of year is all about, and dietician Leslie Langevin of Whole Health Nutrition has shared her tips on how to pig out without putting on weight to Pop Sugar.

As you know there'll be lots of trimmings with your Christmas dinner, from the stuffing to the pigs in blankets, and it's easy to get carried away with piling up the plate. However, if you want to enjoy a big slice of Christmas pudding or a chocolate cake, Leslie recommends dishing up a smaller portion of dinner and holding back on the snacks.

Another way to tuck into lots without feeling weighed down is by opting for colourful foods - this is where fruit and vegetables take the forefront. Instead of reaching for an extra roast potato, add some more broccoli or carrots and if you like a good helping of sauce, go for cranberry over gravy for a healthier option. You can even tuck into raw veggies before dinner rather than the usual Christmas canapés that are full of carbs.

You should really consider whether you're hungry before you eat too. Guzzling down grub out of habit and because everyone else is won't do you any good and you'll only end up feeling tried and bloated at the end of the day. Between breakfast and dinner, a good tip is to carefully choose your snacks, perhaps one sweet and one savoury. And if the weather is nice, going for a walk could help you feel more awake before you fall into a food coma.

Or, if you're really preparing to go all out on the special day, it may be worth cutting things out in the lead up to it. Don't skip meals, but substitute your normal foods for fresh options like a smoothie for breakfast and a salad for lunch.

Come New Year's Day you'll have feasted on various indulgences, but as long as you had a good time and are ready to start the year on a healthier note then no regrets should be had!

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