Experts reveal how long it will take you to burn off your Christmas dinner
Christmas might only be one specific day but the season really starts in early November, especially in terms of parties and shopping. By the time the 25th of December rolls around it’s quite easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of calories in all the food and drink you might have consumed.
If you’re determined to stay somewhat healthy over the festive period, there are lots of small tweaks you can make to ensure you enjoy yourself but don’t end up feeling uncomfortably full. Nor feel like you have to embark on a ridiculous fad diet or unachievable fitness plan in the new year.
To understand the calorie intake of traditional Christmas dinner foods and what exercises you can do, the experts at Mirafit have shared exactly what you need to do to burn them off and how long you’ll have to do it. Meanwhile, celebrity nutritionist, whose clients include Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest, Dr. Daryl Gioffre, has revealed the small changes you can make to your dinner to save on calories.
Mica Moore from Mirafit told the Mirror US: “While it’s clear that the calorie intake on Christmas day is incredibly high, with 3,959 in total, it’s one day of the year when we can forget the diet and fitness goals.
“However, fitness enthusiasts may be determined to stay in good shape despite the high-calorie consumption, so these exercise tips can guide you to help you stay on track, from upper and lower body workouts to taking a walk with the family.”
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Likewise, Dr. Gioffre believes staying in your fitness goals over the festive period is all about moderation, not deprivation. He stresses it’s perfectly fine to indulge in your holiday faves but if you want to ensure some balance there are easy swaps for the menu.
Starters
First up, and to tide you over while you wait for the turkey dinner, lots of people indulge in a traditional starter such as smoked salmon, cheese, and crackers. In total, these nibbles contain 280 calories, which can be burnt off with a brisk 60-minute walk.
Main course
The Christmas dinner racks up 1,499 calories, including the turkey with all the trimmings. In order to shave off some of those extra kcals, Dr. Gioffre suggests using coconut oil to baste your bird, instead of vegetable or canola. He said: “Lots of both sweet and savory holiday recipes include hydrogenated oils but you can do yourself a favor and throw those nasty oils away. They are high in inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids. Making this easy swap is a way to eat more anti-inflammatory fats. This simple change can reduce brain inflammation, improve heart health, help prevent headaches, and reduce the risk of serious diseases.”
And it isn’t just what goes into the food, but on it too, by swapping your usual table salt for either Celtic grey or Himalayan pink salt. Dr. Gioffre said: “This is an easy one. Refined table salt is harmful in any amount and should always be replaced with unrefined mineral salts like Celtic Grey, Himalayan, or Redmond Real Salt. All three contain essential trace minerals that it’s unlikely you’re getting from other sources. This is an easy swap – these salts taste fantastic and can be used in any recipe.”
With so many calories in play, it makes sense that it would take something pretty rigorous to burn off. Mirafit suggests running as the best way to feel the burn, with women needing to jog for at least two hours, and men one hour and 42 minutes.
Dessert
While you may be stuffed after your dinner, the feast isn’t over until you’ve had dessert. With a taster of traditional desserts, including Christmas pudding, yule log, and mince pies, you’re looking at a sum of 1,172 calories. This equates to an overwhelming four hours and 22 minutes of weightlifting for men, or five hours and 10 minutes for women.
Dr. Gioffre says there are little tweaks that can be made to your dessert if you do want a healthier option. He says: “Remember: milk chocolate never, dark 80% is better, raw cacao 100% is best! Milk chocolate is very high in sugar and low in minerals, meaning it’s highly acidic and will deplete your energy.
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“Raw cacao, on the other hand, is very low in sugar and very high in minerals. Plus it contains more magnesium and more antioxidants than any other food, and will actually help you lose weight! Cacao powder can be used in lots of recipes instead of cocoa powder and the nibs can be substituted for chocolate chips or eaten by the handful.”
Booze
It wouldn’t be Christmas day without mulled wine, eggnog, and even a couple of glasses of classic wine – but altogether, the combination of these drinks equates to 1,008 calories. To burn this off, women must aim for 84 minutes of cycling, while men must complete 71 minutes.
If you still want to enjoy a tipple but without all the alcohol and calories, there are plenty of low-percentage options available. You can also swap regular tonic for slim-line, or turn a glass of white into a spritzer with diet lemonade.
It’s also important to remember that trying to burn off a Christmas meal in one day is completely unrealistic. Rather than stressing out but what you’ve eaten or trying to fit in enough strenuous exercise, why not go on a long walk with friends and family and use the free time you may have as a way to socialise? Not only will you feel great about getting outside in the fresh air but it’ll make moving about more enjoyable.
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