We all dream of the day where our Christmas wishlist requests come true. One of those wishes being that the kilojoules consumed over the festive season don’t contribute to our expanding waistlines!
Do you wish to cut kilojoules before Christmas? Our easy plan, that requires you to make a few simple swaps at mealtimes, will have you skipping energetically through the malls as you finish up last-minute shopping. If you start in early December, you will be able to cut up to 14 645 kilojoules a week in the run-up to Christmas. You will feel lighter as you lose a few vital kilograms making sure your body’s ready for festive feasting.
ALSO SEE: How To Prepare Your Home For The Festive Season
Each of our tips saves at least 418 kilojoules, so simply choose five a day and you can lose at least half a kilogram a week!
Try the above recipe: Poached Eggs With Avocado On Toast
Breakfast Savers
– Eat breakfast: research says you’ll eat at least 418 fewer kilojoules over the course of the day.
– Have 2tsp sugar-free jam instead of butter on your morning toast.
– Swap 2 scrambled eggs for 1 poached egg on wholewheat bread.
– Swap 4tbsp muesli for 4tbsp bran flakes.
Lunchtime Losers
– Take away the slice of bread and butter from your sandwich and eat it ‘open’.
– Replace 30g cheddar cheese in your sandwich with 1tbsp low-fat cheese spread.
– Skip the mayo and add a squeeze of lemon juice or mustard to your sandwich.
– Swap a baked potato with chilli or cheese and coleslaw for one with baked beans.
– Lose the salad dressing – it’s typically around 418 kilojoules per tbsp; use lemon juice or balsamic vinegar instead, which are both fat-free.
– Swap half a tub of hummus for half a tub of tzatziki to go with pita bread.
– Swap one can of tuna in oil for one preserved in spring water.
ALSO SEE: 10 Healthy Snacks You Should Always Have In Your Kitchen
Snack Savers
– Whenever you feel the need to snack on something, have a glass of water instead and wait 10 minutes – chances are your hunger pangs are caused by dehydration.
– Tempted to have a small chocolate bar? Go for a 150g tub of fat-free Greek yoghurt sprinkled with berries and 1tsp honey instead.
– Instead of a packet of crisps, dip into some cucumber slices with a triangle of light soft cheese.
– Don’t buy flavoured popcorn: make your own (easy and fun) and sprinkle with a little grated dark chocolate.
– Nuts about nuts? Eat a handful of pistachios over any other – they’re lower in kJs than many other varieties.
Dump Dinnertime Excess
– Try lentil bolognese instead of the meat variety; you’ll save a hefty 1046 kilojoules per serving!
– Swap beef for pork in any casserole-type dish.
– Enjoy pasta; just have half as much – a tennis ball-sized portion is plenty.
– Swap 225g chips for 225g baked potato or baked sweet potato wedges.
ALSO SEE: 7 Top Tips For Following A Plant-Based Diet
Super Sweet Savers
– Enjoy a slice of fruit pie but leave half the pastry.
– Instead of adding cream to desserts, go for low-fat cottage cheese.
– Swap scoops of ice cream for sorbet.
– Have a baked apple with sultanas instead of apple crumble.
Take The Kilojoules out of Takeaways
– Eat the fish, not the batter and share a portion of chips.
– Have a chicken burger without the bun.
– Choose thin and crispy pizza instead of thick or cheese-stuffed.
– Swap a Big Mac for a junior cheeseburger.
ALSO SEE: 18 Healthy Tricks To Lose Weight Fast
Booze Busters
– Swap your large glass of red for a small glass of white… if you’re pouring at home, pour half as much and top up with soda water.
– Swap your swimming-pool sized wine glass (around 300ml) for 150ml.
By Features Writer Andrea Cresswell
