The Christmas afters-effect

You've got through your Christmas dinner healthily by rejecting those extra helpings of roast potatoes and by shunning the left-over stuffing. Now don't fall at the last temptation hurdle - the afters...

DESSERT

CHRISTMAS PUDDING

Relatively low in fat, Christmas pud provides a good dose of fibre, B vitamins, potassium (good for lowering blood pressure), iron, calcium and antioxidants, thanks to the high content of dried fruit. But there are 300 calories per average 3oz serving, as well as 6.1g of fat, and those totals rise when your dish is covered in cream, custard or brandy butter. Have a small helping and savour every mouthful. Recommended helping: a 3oz/85g serving, containing 275 kcal and 6.1g fat.

BRANDY BUTTER

So it's high in fat and sugar (156 calories and 10.4g of fat per ounce) - and alcoholic, too. But it always tastes wonderful, and, though butter gets a bad press, it's a natural product, and thus is better for the body than foods synthesised from chemicals.

MINCE PIES

Unfortunately, the only vaguely good thing about them is the fibre from the dried fruit, but that's stretching a point. A mince pie is high in fat, sugar and calories: 210 calories and 9.5g of fat per pie. Choose one with more filling and less pastry.

CHRISTMAS CAKE

The dried fruit gives a certain amount of fibre, vitamins and minerals. But the marzipan and icing are high in fat - 245 calories and 10.2g of fat per slice. Share a piece with your nearest and dearest.

SATSUMAS

Unreservedly good. They are full of vitamin C and beta-carotene ( a form of carotene which the body can convert into vitamin A - good for eyesight), loaded with fibre, and, because they're a juicy fruit, high in water, which is good for keeping the gut moving. Most other traditional Christmas foods don't contain much water. And they're only 20 calories apiece.

CHESTNUTS

Another winner. Low in fat and and calories (0.3g of fat and 17 calories per nut), and a good source of potassium. Nibble on them instead of chocolates.

CHOCOLATES

Chocolate provides polyphenols, bioactive substances which may act like antioxidants in the body, and dark chocolate contains more of them than milk chocolate. The nuts often used in chocolate confectionery also provide essential fatty acids and minerals, and ginger is supposedly good for digestion. But the high amounts of fat and sugar may give you pause, on top of everything else you've eaten. For example: champagne truffles contain 43 kcal and 2.4g fat per truffle; chocolate brazil nuts - 70 kcal, 5.3g fat each; and chocolate ginger - 38 kcal, 1.5g fat per piece.

CHEESE

STILTON

High in fat (nearly 10g per ounce) and calories (115 calories per 100g), but provides plenty of protein and, for anyone rash enough to be on a lowcarb Christmas lunch, cheese is very low in carbohydrates. Just don't heap up your plate.

DRINK

RED WINE

Contains polyphenols, the bioactive substances which may help protect the body against disease - they act as antioxidants, which are linked to lower risk of heart disease. But remember: there are 85 calories per small (100ml) glass. Don't overdo it.

PORT

Having a little alcohol is relaxing and sociable and makes you feel good, which helps your health and digestion. But take it easy: there are 80 calories in a small (50ml) measure. And yet, as you sip it to round off your meal, congratulate yourself with the thought that it is, at least, fat-free.