Simple Christmas buffet swaps

Emma Brown - Nutritionist | 28 Nov, 2021

Foods shouldn't be labelled 'good' or 'bad', but understanding some are more nutritious than others is helpful in balancing out our diet appropriately.

Use our handy buffet traffic light guide to help you get the most nutritious balance from your festive buffet.

Green foods – these foods are lower in calories, saturated fat and salt meaning you can fill up on as much of these as you'd like.

Amber foods – these foods are higher in calories, saturated fat and/or salt than green foods, so are fine to have in moderation, just try not to overdo it on the portions.

Red foods – these are the foods which are high in calories, saturated fat and/or salt so shouldn't be eaten to excess – more as a little add-on treat.

Handful of veg crudites
37 kcals

Satay chicken skewers
26 kcals each

Sausage rolls
91 kcals per roll

Bowl of mixed salad
29 kcals per bowl

Smoked salmon blinis
38 kcals for 2

Mini pork pies
193 kcals each

Tuna bites
31 kcals each

Tomato based pasta salad
57 kcals for 2 tbsp

Mince pies
249 kcals each

Mixed fruit skewers
38 kcals per skewer

Turkey sandwiches
79 kcals per triangle

Pizza slice
154 kcals each

Xmas Swaps
Savoury
food
swaps

Swap

For

Handful of salted peanuts
120 kcals

Handful of salted pretzels
79 kcals

3 mozzarella sticks
111 kcals

Caprese skewers
70 kcals

2 mini salmon tartlets
122 kcals

2 smoked salmon blinis
38 kcals

¼ baked camembert with a medium crusty bread roll
323 kcals

3 crackers and 3 slices of cheddar cheese
230 kcals

Slice of quiche
256 kcals

2 devilled eggs
182 kcals

Mini pork pie
193 kcals

2 cocktail sausages
58 kcals

3 chicken goujons
215 kcals

3 sweet chilli chicken skewers
98 kcals

Xmas Swaps
Sweet
food
swaps

Swap

For

Iced Christmas cake slice
167 kcals

Mini mince pie
111 kcals

Slice of yule log
383 kcals

Small bowl of chocolate mousse with strawberries
159 kcals

Gingerbread man
197 kcals

2 ginger snap biscuits
92 kcals

3 tinned chocolates
177 kcals

3 strawberries dipped in chocolate fondue
64 kcals

Xmas Swaps
Drinks
swaps

Swap

For

Large eggnog latte
343 kcals

Medium chai spiced latte
184 kcals

Large white wine
188 kcals

Glass of prosecco
93 kcals

Mince pie martini
296 kcals

Double Christmas gin and slimline tonic
158 kcals

Irish cream liqueur hot chocolate with cream
333 kcals

Double Irish cream liqueur over ice
164 kcals

Nutritionist Emma Brown (ANutr), MSc Human Nutrition is passionate about how food science applies to the human body, and how the nutrients in what we eat affect us and ultimately have an impact on our health.