Roast Lamb v. Honey Glazed Ham: How to eat healthy this Christmas

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Roast Beef vs. Roast Lamb
The Healthier Choice: Roast Beef

Why? Although both meat options are high in protein and iron, the roast beef may just be the slightest bit healthier than the lamb, due to its cholesterol content. Beef contains about 83mg of cholesterol per 100g of meat, compared to the 97mg per 100g of lamb.

We Recommend: Choose the leaner cuts of either meat option and resist the urge to pile on the gravy!
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Log Cake v. Stollen
The Healthier Choice: Christmas Stollen

Why? It's a no-brainer: the stollen contains half the fat and sugar content of a Christmas log cake. Additionally, it's traditionally made using a bread recipe with fruits and nuts added, while log cakes are typically coated with decadent layers of cream and excessive sugar!

We Recommend: Do not reach out for seconds when it comes to your Christmas stollen or log cake - stick to just one slice!
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Roast Turkey v. Honey-Glazed Ham
The Healthier Choice: Roast Turkey

Why? The roast turkey is, as a whole, the more nutritious option as it low in sodium (103mg per 100g), while the highly-processed ham is significantly higher in sodium (900mg per 100g). Even if you drench your roast turkey with gravy, cranberry sauce or stuffing, it's still the healthier option of the two.

We Recommend: Skip out on eating the skin of the turkey, and pair with a side of roasted vegetables instead.
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Gingerbread Cookies v. Mince Pies
The Healthier Choice: Mince Pies

Why? Although both choices have a high calorie and sugar content, gingerbread cookies contain more sugar and calories. While mince pies have an estimated 290kcal and 28g of sugar per 100g, gingerbread cookies contain 381kcal and 44g of sugar per 100g. (Note: This also depends on the recipes used, however).

We Recommend: Stick to only serving, and have them either only on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
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Wine v. Champagne
The Healthier Choice: Champagne

Why? Solely based off its calorie content, champagne (75kcal per 100ml) is the healthier option in comparison to wine (83kcal per 100ml).

We Recommend: To avoid having one too many glasses of champagne or wine, sip either beverage slowly throughout the night. Dietitians suggest that the recommended limit for alcoholic drinks is one to two glasses for women.
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Eggnog v. Hot Chocolate
The Healthier Choice: Hot Chocolate

Why? Hot chocolate is, hands down, the less fattening option. A 250ml mug of hot chocolate contains just 2g of fat, while the same amount of eggnog has 11g. Additionally, eggnog is rich in heavy cream, whole milk and alcohol - ingredients notoriously bad for the heart.

We Recommend: Instead of opting for whole milk, substitute it with low-fat milk for both drinks!

Roast turkey or honey glazed ham; wine or champagne?

If you’re concerned about overindulging in food and drinks over the festive season, you’re not wrong to. After all, as delightful as they are, festive dishes and treats are often loaded with copious amounts of sugar and fat.

Get this: just 2 pieces of eclair packs on an extra 500 kilocalories (kcal) to your daily calorie intake; which, if consumed daily over the holidays, can result in a half a kilogramme weight gain within a week!

If you’ve been staying on track with your health and fitness this year, and don’t want to derail your progress the festive break, browse our gallery above as we guide you through making the healthier dining choice this Christmas!

Sarah Khan

Photos: Getty Images

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