Joe Wicks’ simple tips for how to party without piling on the pounds
With Christmas fast approaching and the party season about to get in full swing, Joe is here to give you his guide to staying lean at the Christmas party
IT’S always tricky to stick to a diet. Whether you are avoiding a slice of cake in the office or resisting that second burger at a BBQ.
But with Christmas fast approaching and the party season about to get in full swing, Joe Wicks is here to give you his guide to staying lean at the Christmas party.
Joe says: “It’s no secret that Christmas can be a tricky time to stay on track.
"Once you’ve started my fitness and lifestyle plan and got into good habits, you won’t want to slip up during the festive period. But that’s not to say you have to miss out.
“Absolutely treat yourself if you’ve been working hard, but to keep you a lean winner, check out my cheats on how to survive the Christmas buffet table…or two.”
Lean treats
Guacamole
“I absolutely love guacamole, so if you’re ever looking for me at a party I’ll be the one at the table next to the spicy green stuff.
“It’s healthier than a lot of the creamy dips you see on buffet tables, and is just as delicious.
“Heads up – if you’re putting on the party, make your own. It will taste better than shop-bought guac and will probably contain a lot less salt and sugar.
"My tip is to soak the red onions in lime juice to reduce their oniony-ness – especially helpful if you are planning on kissing anyone under the mistletoe.”
Chicken Skewers
“The king of party food snacks, I always pop a couple of these on my plate. Loaded with protein, these snacks are nice and lean.
“My favourite are chicken satay skewers – there is a nice recipe for this in one of my books that is low-carb, so not too naughty and tastes amazing.
"Plus, because they are skewers, you get a toothpick when you’re done.”
Salad
“Who said that salad has to be boring?
"Christmas is the perfect time to really jazz up your salads, so if it’s your party and you are the one who is putting on the spread, you can make things nice and colourful by adding loads of mixed peppers, pomegranate seeds and feta cheese."
Paella
“Paella is a fantastic Christmassy dish as it’s full of colour. The yellow rice, red peppers and seafood make a great centrepiece for the party and it is lean and tasty.
“If you’re drinking, wholegrain rice paella is a great healthy carb to line your stomach with. You can even knock up a cheat’s paella in 15 minutes.”
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Olives
“These little morsels of deliciousness are great to fill up on at Christmas parties. They are full of healthy oils and they taste great.”
Eggs
“Another great source of protein you find on a buffet table is boiled eggs.
"Pop a couple of these on your plate and you will fill up quickly while giving yourself a nice healthy dose of goodness.
"They also help to spice up your salad.”
Prawns
“A buffet is a great excuse to snack on prawns like they are water.
"They are a great source of protein and healthy oils, and while they may normally be a treat, you can really get your fill of these bad boys before hitting the dancefloor.”
Veg sticks
“If you’re still a bit peckish, then carrot, celery and cucumber sticks with hummus are a great thing to snack on.
“They will give you a much nicer crunch and will fill you up, to stop you from reaching for the crisps.”
Joe's top tips
If you know you’ve got a party coming up with foods you might not be able to avoid, make sure you plan ahead.
Joe says: “Get up 20 minutes early on the morning of your party and do one of my HIIT sessions.
This will get you burning calories and speed up your metabolism for the rest of the day.”
Don’t go mad on
Crisps
“These processed foods are so moreish it can be easy to munch though a whole bowl without even realising you’ve done it.
"Try and avoid these as they are full of saturated fat and salt.
"If you want an alternative, stick to a handful of nuts instead – they’re healthier and do the trick when you’re feeling peckish.”
Bread
“If you’ve been training and need to refuel, carbs are great – but be wary of filling your plate with bread at the Christmas party.
“Bread-based snacks, from rolls to breadsticks can be tempting to overload on – especially when it’s chilly. Avoid these as much as possible.”
Mince pies
“No one will go an entire festive season without enjoying a mince pie, but when faced with a huge plateful at a Christmas party it can be hard not to overindulge.
"If you can, avoid these pastries as much as you can.”
Sausage rolls
“Most shop-bought sausage rolls are not the best when you are trying to stay lean. Instead, opt for cocktail sausages.”
Cheese straws
“They might look tempting, but if you are watching you waistline put these back where they came from. Carb-heavy with saturated fat is not a good combination when you’re trying to stay lean.”
Check out Joe's recipes for healthy chicken salad, beef and mushroom pie and bashed pork.