1st December 2010
The LBD (little black dress) Guide to Getting the Christmas Parties Started

festive young woman wearing black dressOkay ladies! That LBD has been hanging up in the wardrobe for weeks, maybe months, the shoes and handbag match perfectly and you’re good to go.  

So, now you're ready for the festive party season, you're feeling pretty good about yourself, how do you ensure you don't overdo it and run the risk of straining the seams of your LBD by putting on too much additional weight?  After all, the average person may eat an estimated 500 additional calories a day over the Christmas season, resulting in a possible weight gain of 5lb.

The British Dietetic Association (BDA) lists the top five tips to enjoying the festive party merriness while maintaining a healthy balance and a healthy body.

  1. Eat hearty before the party!  You make the decision whether to fill up on food of your choice, or run the risk of a limited choice at the buffet table, usually consisting of fat-filled stodgy offerings like quiche, sausage rolls, pastries and deep fried samosas.  Try eating something healthy and filling before you make your grand entrance, such as veg soup, hummus with oatcakes, fresh fruit and a yogurt-based smoothie.  Also, you won't be drinking on an empty stomach or have to worry about embarrassing spillages down your LBD (or ruining your lip gloss)!
  2. Pound the pavement!  If you are travelling by car, why not park a little further away and walk the extra distance (if safe to do so of course).  Not only will that walk be a good source of exercise and burn some calories, it will also get your blood supply coursing which will make you more alert and energetic for the festive fun ahead.  In addition, if you drive, you won't be tempted by those calorific alcoholic drinks (see below), but watch the calories too in those soft drinks.
  3. Drink, don't sink!  That Mariah Carey song is blasting around the room (again!), but take it easy and don't get carried away.  Those brightly-coloured Sex and the City looking cocktails are often full of sugar, cream and hangover favourites, 'congeners' (mostly found in darker spirits like whisky and rum).  If you are going to drink try sticking to a refreshing white wine spritzer (less alcohol and fewer calories) and alternate your alcoholic drink with water, low calorie soft drinks or unsweetened fruit juice mixed with fizzy water.  If you do want to indulge in cocktail hour with your friends, you could go for the good old fashioned Screwdriver (vodka and unsweetened orange juice) or a cosmopolitan.
  4. Festive Foods!  If you do decide to eat at the party, go for the more healthy options, such as skinless chicken, salads without dressing, vegetable crudités with hummus etc.  Try to avoid creamy dips, mayo-loaded salads and fried foods, and the pastry offerings that will be in abundance.  Step away from temptation, visit only once and use a small dessert sized plate.
  5. Dance yourself dizzy! (well, not too dizzy...)  Get those Jimmy Choo's pride of place on the dancefloor and boogie the night down to Slade, Shakin’ Stevens, the Pogues featuring Kirsty Mccoll and, undoubtedly, more Mariah Carey.  Dancing is a great way of burning calories and it is also the perfect distraction from drinking and eating more.  Just remember to drink lots of water throughout the night to maintain your disco dancing prowess.

"For many of us, Christmas time is the one time of the year we get all our friends together for a night, or nights, of fun and celebration," said Sian Porter, consultant Dietitian and Spokesperson for the BDA.

"However, all too often we can over do the eating and drinking, meaning the party clothes that look absolutely fabulous on on December 1st can become a little snug, shall we say, by the time we get to New Year’s Eve on the 31st.

"It's not about being a party pooper: it's all about having fun and making choices.  We can choose to go all out and attack all the food and drink we clap eyes on, or we can choose to pace ourselves and use portion control.  Either way, the British Dietetic Association wants to wish everybody a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2011!"

ENDS

For more information / interview requests, please contact the BDA Press Office on
0870 850 2517Notes to the Editor:

Dietitians are the only nutrition professionals to be statutorily regulated, and governed by an ethical code, to ensure that they always work to the highest standard. Dietitians work in the NHS, private practice, industry, education, research, sport, media, public relations, publishing, Non Government Organisations and government. Their advice influences food and health policy across the spectrum from government, local communities and individuals

BDA News index | BDA Food Facts | BDA home page