Hands up if on the opening of the first door on your advent calendar all bets are off when it comes to food and drink and you hear ‘oh but it’s Christmas on repeat in head’! (*hand sheepishly reaching upwards*).  December is a month of overindulgence and who can blame us – there’s the omnipresent festive food, bowls of chocolate, warming mulled wine, mince pies, and not forgetting the Christmas pudding – the list is endless.  But there are plenty of festive foods that are packed with goodness that will help keep up energy levels and feeling bright during this hectic time. It can also help to forward plan our meals at this time of year and prep with some batch cooking.

Chocolate

Try to pick the dark chocolate – 85% if you can but at lest 70% if not. The dark chocolate not only contains flavonoids that act as antioxidants in the body which help fight off the Christmas colds and flu but the endorphins that are released when you eat chocolate can perk you up during a wet and stressful shopping trip!

Nuts

Fresh cracked nuts – Grab a nutcracker and a bag of whole nuts and your afternoon in front of a Christmas movie is set! Nuts are something we should all (allergy permitting) be eating daily and by choosing to crack the nuts it means you’re more likely to eat in moderation! You can also mix some dried fruit and cinnamon with some mixed nuts for a festive upgrade.

Mince Pies

Try and choose filo pastry over puff or short crust.  This lighter alternative contains about half the calories. And what’s even better about mince pies? All that dried fruit is super high in fibre helping you to excrete all those extra toxins taken on during all that partying.

Alcohol

Now it’s no secret that excessive alcohol is a big no no with links to cancer, liver damage and heart attacks, so stick to the guidelines set by the Government (3-4 units for men and 2-3 for women) and always alternate with a soft drink.  However, if you’re drinking sensibly a glass of red wine might actually help increase levels of ‘good’ cholesterol which reduces the risk of coronary heart disease.  And if you add some fresh spices, ginger (great for fighting off the sniffles) and some grated orange to and simmer over a gentle heat you’ve got a festive mulled wine. If you’re looking to discretely avoid or cut down on alcohol then try and festive kombuchi mocktail.

Turkey

let’s not forget that this time of year can be difficult for some people and it’s a time when levels of depression increase.  If you’re feeling low then increasing your intake of foods like turkey may help to support brain health.  Turkey contains a substance called tryptophan which is converted to the happy hormone serotonin in the body.  It’s also low fat and packed with protein – helping to fill you up and resist the urge to reach for the bowl of crisps! 

Festive Cheese Board

Probably my favourite bit of Boxing Day!  There are so many cheeses to choose from and provided you eat it in moderation there’s no reason to feel guilty about this one.  Try to choose strong flavoured cheeses as this way you’ll eat less but still get all the flavour.  Choose seeded and wholegrain crackers for slow-release energy, add some tomatoes, cucumber and grapes, and give it a super gut health boost with some fermented food like kimchi, olives or sauerkraut and then enjoy!  Cheese contains an abundance of minerals, including calcium – required for strong teeth and bones and also zinc – essential for a healthy immune system.

Movement & Exercise

It’s hard to stick to a routine when there is so much going on (See Anna’s guest blog about this!) so if you find yourself struggling to stay active just spend a little more time on the dance floor – 30 minutes of dancing can burn around 146 calories!  And if you’re at home with the family why not get competitive on a games console using the body movement sensor games like Just Dance and Switch Sports.  And finally why not wrap up warm in this very seasonally chilly weather and get outside for a brisk walk – perfect to blow the cobwebs away!

Food for Thought

Don’t forget – there are no rules to say you have to wait until January to get help with your nutrition, diet and lifestyle. Think of the head start you’ll have if you make plans now – whether that’s booking a free 30 minute health review or signing gifting yourself of a loved one a Wellness MOT

A Festive Gift for You

To help you stay on track and enjoy a balanced festive season, I’d love to gift you a copy of my Festive Survival Guide. Packed with practical tips, mindset shifts, and simple strategies, it’s your go-to resource for navigating Christmas without compromising your wellbeing.

Here’s to a joyful, balanced festive season! For now, enjoy this time of year and have a Merry Christmas and a healthy new year!

Nicola x

(Updated November 2024)