Indigestion, hangovers, weight-gain, fatigue, irritability, and guilt. Sound familiar? Well, the festive season doesn't have to be like that. Enjoy yourself by all means, but try to eat and drink in a sensible and healthy way.

The following tips may help to keep your Christmas as happy and trouble-free as possible: Have a good breakfast - on Christmas morning, have a nutritious breakfast (preferably not a fry-up!). This will not only provide you with the energy needed for the busy day ahead, but also reduce the urge to snack on those tempting sweets, biscuits and chocolates before the main Christmas meal.

Go for a walk - just because it is Christmas, that's no excuse to stop exercising. Even a short brisk walk (before or after lunch) will help to burn off some calories, help to reduce weight gain, and it means you won't feel as guilty if you do decide to have an extra serving of dessert.

Try fish - be different this year and have some fish and seafood, rather than the usual turkey or other roasted meats. Fish takes less time to cook, is easier to digest, contains the good' omega-3 fats, and is lower in calories. Not everyone likes fish, but it is worth giving it go - you might be pleasantly surprised.

Don't feed an army - when shopping and cooking, take a realistic look at how many people are being fed. It is tempting to impress your guests with a 30-pound turkey, but is it really necessary if there are only six of you at the table?

Similarly, crowding the table-top with every conceivable side-dish may look good, but will you and your guests be able to eat it all?

This will not only result in food being wasted but, out of politeness, people will try to eat as much of it as they can - leading to bloating, discomfort and indigestion. And there is still the dessert course to come!

Light puds - admittedly, lashings of sherry trifle or Christmas pudding flambéed with brandy and a ladle of cream or custard, does sound like a delicious end to the meal. But instead, give your digestion (and waistline) a little treat - maybe consider a lemon sorbet, or a fresh fruit salad. Perhaps forego a dessert altogether, and save some room for a nibble' or two later in the evening.

Alcohol - always free-flowing at this time of year - there's the celebratory Champagne, the wine during the meal, maybe some sherry, then brandy after the meal as a digestive', and even a few beers while watching TV. By now, you're probably well over the limit (and nicely merry). Bear in mind, though, that alcohol can affect digestion, lead to hangovers (and irritability), and piles on the pounds (a gram of alcohol contains seven calories). Try to curb your alcohol intake - follow each alcoholic drink with the equivalent amount of water; opt for a non-alcoholic drink, such as a Virgin Mary or a St Clements instead of that second (third?) glass of beer or wine.

Don't drink on an empty stomach, and switch to fresh fruit or vegetable juices in the evening (this will help your body to recover from the day's onslaught' and reduce the chances of a hangover the next morning).

5:04pm Friday 21st December 2007

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