The inevitable weight gain over Christmas is often put down to eating too much - but what we put in our glasses can pile on the pounds just as much as what we put on our plates ....
It's Christmas time ... mistletoe and wine ... but before you indulge in your tipple of choice have you ever wondered just how many calories are lurking in that delectable drink of yours?
Whether you're knocking back the mulled wine or eggnog, all this fun can potentially expand your waistline - which is the very last thing you need after wolfing down that festive dinner and second helping of mince pies.
'But it's Christmas' you say, as you reach for the Baileys at 4pm on an idle Tuesday.
And you'd be right - which is why if you are counting calories this yuletide, there are some simple swaps you can make to help keep both your mind and body happy.
Diet guru Terri-Ann Nunns and expert nutritionist Ro Huntriss have shared their expert advice on how to enjoy alcoholic drinks without going overboard this Christmas.
So be prepared for some startling revelations - and if you’re a Prosecco fan, you’ll be enthused to learn the glass of fizz contains fewer calories than you may have first thought.
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Eggnog
Made with lashings of milk, egg and sugar it must surely come as little surprise to learn that eggnog contains a gargantuan 350 calories - so why not swap it out for a glass of sloe gin?
The experts explain: “This has to be one of the most indulgent drinks around Christmas time and certainly won’t help if you are trying to manage your weight.
“Another drink that is equally enjoyable but for different reasons is sloe gin. You can have it warm or on ice but it is still a tasty treat - with much fewer calories.”
Mulled Wine
The simple delights of a piping hot mulled wine is something many of us treasure at Christmas - but did you know there's a rather hefty 210 calories in the average glass?
Many of us make this yuletide drink at home - which can really work in your favour if you want to reduce its calories.
For a start you could ditch the sugar and add sweetener instead. Easy.
The nutritionists advised: “Normally when making mulled wine, you need to warm it up and add spices and sugar.
“Adding the sugar obviously adds more calories but you can actually use sweetener instead. Try artificial sweeteners or natural sweeteners such as stevia.
“Alternatively, you could add more flavourings, spices and lemon juice and not add sugar or sweeteners at all.”
Glass of wine
The joys of a simple glass of wine are savoured by many of us - but sadly that's a whopping 220 calories you're quaffing right there.
As such, the nutritionists advise you swap wine for Prosecco, as a glass of the bubbles contains around just 85 calories.
“A glass of Prosecco will provide you with 1.5 units of alcohol whereas a large glass of wine is likely to be around 3 units,” they say.
Baileys
Like a luxurious chocolate milkshake, it's hardly surprising that Baileys is a very popular tipple at this time of year - but a glass of the creamy stuff can pack around 164 calories.
But despite your probable scepticism, there are alternatives available, say our experts.
“Swap a 50ml Baileys - which has 164 calories - for a 50ml Baileys Almande at 76 calories," they say.
"Baileys Almande, made from almonds, offers a vegan, dairy-free alternative to Baileys original and comes in at under half the calories!”
Beer
Many of us enjoy a festive trip to the boozer over Christmas, but that crafty pint can harbour around 210 calories.
Yet swapping this for a bottle of beer will see your intake at a more reasonable 140 calories.
The dieticians advise: “This may seem obvious but swapping a pint of beer for a bottle significantly reduces the volume you will drink and therefore the calories, especially if you plan to have more than one. The term ‘beer belly’ doesn’t exist without reason; beer can be a big contributor to weight gain.”
