The Christmas party food plan

Having a takeaway
The same rules apply here as for eating out - every decision counts. Swapping pepperoni for chicken and extra chilli isn't going to ruin your day and it could save you hundreds of calories. Think portion size, eating to satisfaction and smart choices.

Going for a drink
Alcohol is a double-whammy when it comes to diet. Not only does it provide zillions of calories, but it can also give you the munchies. When you're trying to lose weight, it makes sense to cut back a bit, but that doesn't have to mean total abstinence. If you're going for a drink - which, let's face it, you probably will over the holiday season - here's the damage:

Remember, women should drink no more than two or three units per day; men no more than three or four units per day. Max.

Ready meals
Again, the rules above apply. The beauty of a ready meal from the supermarket is that you can read labels and make an informed choice. Your best bet is to go for a meal with less than 400 cals per serving, but do compare different meals to get the best deal for calories, fat and sodium - the lower the better, really. Portion sizes can be big, especially if you get the bagged meal-for-one or meal-for-two. Store anything more than a portion in a Tupperware in the freezer or fridge for the next night.

Start the diet now:

• Week 1
• Week 2
• Week 3
• Week 4
• Party day!

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