How to easily cut Christmas calories by swapping one delicious treat for another

PILING on the pounds doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of the festive season.

Some of us chomp through 7,000 calories on Christmas Day — that’s around three times the recommended daily intake.

Some of us chomp through 7,000 calories on Christmas Day - three times the recommended daily intakeCredit: Getty

But a few clever food swaps can reduce how many you consume.

Nutritionist Amanda Ursell explains: “Christmas can be a time when extra food tempts you and it’s easy to see calories soaring as a result. No one wants to say no to all the treats on offer.

“So if you want to keep an eye on calories while still indulging, follow my suggestions, which show how small changes can make a big difference.”

Amanda reveals her top festive food swaps to Lynsey Hope.

Toblerone for Chocolate Orange - 50 cals

A single triangle of Toblerone has a whopping 175 caloriesCredit: Alamy

You'll save 50 calories by swapping it for six segments of Terry’s Chocolate Orange minis

SWAP: One triangle of Toblerone (32.7g), 175 calories

FOR: Six segments of Terry’s Chocolate Orange minis sharing bag, 125 calories

Amanda says: “This is a great little saving as you get a fantastic chocolate hit with the orange minis but save 50 calories.

"Just remember to pick six minis out of the pack and do what is intended – share the rest with others.”

Pringles for Tyrrells - 25 cals

You can save 25 calories by swapping Pringles for TyrrellsCredit: Alamy

Plus you'll considerably cut down on the number of flavourings

SWAP: Sour cream and onion Pringles (30g serving), 152 calories

FOR: Tyrrells mixed root vegetable crisps (25g serving), 127 calories

Amanda says: “You don’t just reduce 25 calories with this swap, you also save 18 ingredients.

"While the vegetable crisps are made from just parsnip, beetroot, carrot, sunflower oil and sea salt, the Pringles contain 23 ingredients including flavourings, glucose syrup, potato, rice, wheat, corn starch and emulsifier.”

Christmas pudding for Yule log - 190 cals

Christmas pudding is very dense and comes in at 327 caloriesCredit: Alamy

While Yule log might not seem like a healthier choice, you'll save nearly 200 caloriesCredit: Getty

SWAP: Christmas pudding, 327 calories

FOR: Yule log, 137 calories

Amanda says: “The problem with Christmas pudding is that it is so dense one portion weighs 100g.

“A yule log, on the other hand, is much lighter, weighing just 33g. This means that even though, gram for gram, Christmas pudding has fewer calories than the log, you get a whole load more calories because the standard portion is heavier.

"If you stuck with a small, 33g portion of Christmas pudding, the calories would be only 123.”

Baileys for prosecco - 76 cals

Baileys has 192 calories while a glass of prosecco is just over halfCredit: Getty

Plus you get the added advantage of a longer drinkCredit: Getty

SWAP: Baileys (50ml), 162 calories

FOR: prosecco (125ml), 86 calories

Amanda says: “You save 76 calories and also have the advantage of getting a longer drink with the prosecco.

"Both the 50ml of Baileys and the prosecco, with an eight per cent ABV (alcohol by volume), give you one unit of alcohol.”

Mulled wine for red wine - 160 cals

Amanda says the calories and units of alcohol in mulled wine can vary hugelyCredit: Getty

But you're likely to save around 160 calories by swapping to red wineCredit: Getty

SWAP: mulled wine (175ml), 245 calories

FOR: red wine (125ml), 85 calories

Amanda says: “The calories and units of alcohol in mulled wine can vary hugely, depending on how you make it.

"A shop-bought version is the safest bet as you can see the calories and units of alcohol on the label.

"These can be as low or lower than normal red wine per 125ml glass, but a home-made version can hit more than 300 calories and contain 3.5 units of alcohol. Know what you are drinking and go steady.”

Stilton for goat's cheese - 70 cals

Portion size is key when it comes to cheese but 50g of Stilton is 205 caloriesCredit: Getty

You'll save 70 calories by substituting it with goat's cheese Credit: Getty

SWAP: Stilton (50g), 205 calories

FOR: goat’s cheese (50g), 135 calories

Amanda says: “Always keep an eye on portion sizes with cheese as it is rich in fat and is usually eaten with biscuits, so the calories tot up quickly.

“If you were to stick with a 30g portion of goat’s cheese it has 81 calories and makes an even bigger saving.”