How to stay in shape during Christmas season

London, Dec 4 (ANI): With the holiday season just round the corner, it can be really difficult to lose weight, thanks to the unending parties, exquisite dinners and alcohol. But now, dietary experts have offered few tricks that could help you keep a check on calories while enjoying the festivities.

Ursula Arens, spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association has said that on average, people gain 5 lbs (2 kg) in the four-week Christmas period.

“Trying to lose weight at this time is totally ridiculous and socially unpleasant. You just need to aim for stability,” The Telegraph quoted her as saying.

Arens said that one could cut calories in Christmas meal by choosing white turkey meat, removing the skin (saving about 50 calories per portion) and stacking high the unbuttered veggies

“The overall average weight gain works out at just an extra 500 calories a day,” said Elisabeth Weichselbaum of the British Nutrition Foundation.

And that is the equivalent of a mince pie and a few extra glasses of wine.

The dieticians advised that drinking wine instead of cocktails or creamy tipples such as Baileys can help to keep things under control in parties, considered to be the major calorie hotspots.

Also, one could swap each alcoholic drink with a glass of water. Adding fizzy water to white wine for spritzers that last longer makes sure that you do not take in extra calories.

Weichselbaum said that endless “nibbles” during parties could be disastrous.

“You can easily consume the equivalent of a whole meal just in canap