12 Ways to Festive Health While Still Having Fun!

With a little thought and planning, you could boost your well-being and still enjoy the festivities

- Tanya Pearey

Eat cheese

Yes, really! Recent research suggests that it may help cut your risk of heart disease, so there’s no need to panic at the sight of the cheeseboard this Christmas. The Swedish study, which followed participants over a 16-year period, showed those with a high intake of dairy fats had a lower risk of strokes, heart attacks and other serious circulatory events. Researchers think the fats in some dairy produce can help protect your heart.

Save our sprouts!

An estimated 150 million sprouts get binned over Christmas. Many of us think we don’t like them because we’ve only eaten them overcooked. So boil them quickly, or steam, or try frying with a little olive oil and garlic, and add onion, pancetta and chestnuts. ‘Sprouts are packed with vitamin C – essential for immunity,’ says dietitian

Make your own dips

Shop-bought soups and dips can be loaded with fat and sugar. Make your own delicious fresh dips and chunky vegetable soup for the fridge or freezer. For salsa: Mix together chopped tomatoes, onions, coriander and chilli. For guacamole: Mash avocado with lime juice, chopped chilli, onions, tomatoes and coriander.

Better lovemaking