Menu Help?

Oh god I want it all.

I think the healthiest starter is the prawns and the healthiest dessert is the panna cotta. All the proteins look about the same to me once you factor in sauces and sides, so just pick what you like and eat moderately.

2. Duck. The others have accompaniments which will be high in fat/cream - this seems likes the best bet! Although the potatoes will still be buttery!

I wouldn't go for the duck - confit means slow cooked in fat. It's delicious but if you want to keep calories down i'd stay away.

STARTERS
Celeriac and Bramley apple soup: probabaly the best choice here, has some fruit and veg in. Easy on the bread rolls if they come with it

Smoked Scottish salmon with balsamic beetroot and cauliflower crème fraiche: hold the creme fraiche, or just have a little of it, the rest is great protein

Crispy goat’s cheese parcel with tomato chutney: What's making the parcle crispy? If it's pastry, i'd leave this one alone.

Foie gras and confit duck terrine with toasted brioche: Very high in fat and calories.

Prawn and apple cocktail with brown bread: is it in a mayo sauce? That's where the calories will be. Prawns and apples lovely thoguh.

MAINS
Roasted turkey with all the traditional trimmings: Turkey good, depends what the trimmings are. Stuffing - avoid. Sausages and bacon - maybe just one or 2. Roast potaotes - not for me.

Mignon of pork stuffed with prunes and apricots with potato terrine and mustard sauce: The ptoato terrine and mustard sauce would put me off


Pan fried Atlantic cod fillets, Grenobloise sauce and mashed potato with prawns: I usually go for the fish when I'm out, Pan fried will add to the calories, sure, but as long as it's not in batter it wont be too bad. Not sure what the sauce is, and the potaotes will be high calorie, and possibly high fat too if they're made with cream and butter.

Spinach, oyster mushroom, brie and cranberry wellington: Wellington is wrapped in pastry. I'd eat this but I'd leave the pastry, lol!

Confit duck with braised cabbage and boulangere potatoes: Very high fat and calories

DESSERTS
Christmas pudding with Brandy cream: I love Christmas pud, so this would be my choice. I'd eat half, and not have the cream.

Winter pavlova with cinnamon infused apple, cranberries, toasted almonds and caramel syrup: This is probaby a good choice, as long as there's not too much cream.

Morello cherry panna cotta: It's a dessert, it'll high in cals. Have it if you like, but only eat half.

Dark chocolate crème brulée: See previous comment.

Cheese board with savoury crackers and festive fruit chutney: Depends on what cheese they have on offer!



To summarise - I'd go for the soup or salmon starter, the veggie main course but leave the pastry, and half of one of the desserts.

I'm not convinced that the least calorific equates with the healthies,t and heaven only knows what goes into most restaurant prepared food!

I'd select the simplest foods i.e those that have been messed around with the least and I'd steer clear of sugar and refined carbohydrates including bread, brioche, pastry, made up sauces, dessert and crackers..

Without a doubt...

Smoked salmon
Confit of duck
Cheese with celery/grapes (not crackers)

Bon appetit!

...because you're afraid of fat?

Watch this before you do! http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/3876219.htm

I'm always surprised that our idea of celebrating frequently goes hand in hand with making ourselves feel poorly/guilty afterwards. Healthy fat (think butter, coconut, olive oil) is not the enemy, sugar is.

Still not convinced? Keep learning. http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/dr-michelle-k-nielsen/why-you-shouldnt-eat-sugar_b_4162570.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-diet-and-fitness&fb_source=message