Clever Christmas food swaps

Nobody wants to miss out on all the tasty treats on offer at this time of year – and with our food swap special, you don’t have to…

Our smart swaps mean that you can still enjoy your share of Christmas treats, but you'll be taking in fewer calories, whether you're grazing on the snacks on the buffet table at a party, at the bar, or sampling something sweet

 

 

Party snacks

Swap: 1 fish goujon with tartare sauce, 65 cals, 5.5g fat
For: 1 tiger prawn with sweet chilli dip, 19 cals, 0.2g fat
Calories cut: 46 cals, 5.3g fat
Health benefit: Prawns are lower in fat and supply calcium.

 

Swap: 2 cocktail sausage rolls, 133 cals, 10g fat
For: 2 cocktail sausages on sticks, 67 cals, 5g fat
Calories cut: 66 cals, 5g fat
Health benefit: No pastry means less unhealthy trans-fats.

 

 

 

Swap: 2 mini cheese straws, 73 cals, 4.9g fat
For: 2 breadsticks, 42 cals, 0.8g fat
Calories cut: 31 cals, 4.1g fat
Health benefit: Breadsticks have a lower salt content.

Swap: 1 chicken wing, 137 cals, 7.7g fat
For: 1 marinated chicken bite, 29 cals, 0.8g fat
Calories cut: 108 cals, 6.9g fat
Health benefit: Skinless chicken is low in saturates.

 

Swap: 1tbsp of sour cream dip, 82 cals, 8.6g fat
For: 1tbsp of salsa, 20 cals, 0.5g fat
Calories cut: 62 cals, 8.1g fat
Health benefit: Salsa is packed with antioxidants.

 

 

 

At the bar

Swap: 1 Kir Royale (Champagne with crème de cassis), 134 cals, 0g fat
For: 1 glass of Champagne, 96 cals, 0g fat
Calories cut: 38 cals
Health benefit: Skipping the cassis means you won't get drunk as quickly.

 

Swap: 50ml Irish cream liqueur, 162 cals, 6g fat
For: 50ml advocaat, 136 cals, 3g fat
Calories cut: 26 cals, 3g fat
Health benefit: You'll be reducing your intake of saturated fat.

 

Swap: 1 vodka and orange, 142 cals, 0g fat
For: 1 Bloody Mary, 115 cals, 0g fat
Calories cut: 27 cals
Health benefit: Tomato juice is packed with lycopene, which has been linked to lower rates of prostate, breast and lung cancers.

Swap: 1 pint of Guinness, 210 cals, 0g fat
For: 1 pint of lager, 164 cals, 0g fat
Calories cut: 46 cals
Health benefit: Lager contains twice as much folic acid (important for healthy blood and to protect against heart disease).

 

Sweet treats

Swap: 1 serving (113g) of Christmas pudding with 1 serving (45g) of brandy butter, 572 cals, 28.4g fat
For: 1 serving (113g) of Christmas pudding with 1 serving (125ml) of brandy sauce, 523 cals, 18.5g fat
Calories cut: 49 cals, 9.9g fat
Health benefit: You'll get more calcium.

 

Swap: 1 pastry-topped mince pie, 230 cals, 11g fat
For: 1 iced-top mince pie, 170 cals, 5g fat
Calories cut: 60 cals, 6g fat
Health benefit: You'll cut saturated fat.

 

Swap: 4 Quality Street chocolates, 160 cals, 8g fat
For: 4 pieces of Turkish delight, 88 cals, 0g fat
Calories cut: 72 cals, 8g fat
Health benefit: Turkish Delight is free from the trans-fats found in caramel chocs.

 

Swap: 1 serving of sherry trifle, 318 cals, 20g fat
For: 1 serving of oranges in brandy, 150 cals, 0g fat
Calories cut: 168 cals, 20g fat
Health benefit: The oranges provide vitamin C and count as 1 fruit portion.

Swap: 1 slice of Christmas cake, 307 cals, 7.5g fat
For: 1 Tesco Healthy Living Festive Slice, 105 cals, 1.4g fat
Calories cut: 202 cals, 6.1g fat
Health benefit: The slice is high in antioxidant-rich dried fruit.

 

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