Did/Will you go over your calories for Christmas?

Christmas over-eating does not result in excess fat deposition in humans
Claus S, Helpers SL, R'deer RTRN
Lapland Journal of Endocrinology
Dec 2002, Vol 2002 (12): p1-3

The consumption of excess calories leading to the synthesis of adipose tissue is well documented and evidence-based. However, it has long been wondered why humans can over-indulge, especially on high fat foods, high sugar foods and alcohol, during the Yuletide period without any significant weight gain (p<0.001). There have been numerous studies to try to find the reasoning for this, especially due to reports of reduce physical activity at this time of year.

Recently the authors have discovered the substance nutrition santasic acid which, when present in high amounts in adipocytes inhibits the enzyme acetyl CoA carboxylase, one of the rate limiting enzymes in the synthesis of fatty acids. The presence of santasic acid combined with the inactivity of acetyl CoA carboxylase also results in the immediate oxidation of macronutrients into energy, or if there is no immediate demand for energy the dissipation of the oxidative metabolites as heat through the skin (this may also in part explain why we rarely feel cold at Christmas time).

Foods which have especially high levels of santasic acid include Christmas pudding, mince pies, sherry trifle, Christmas cake and brandy butter. Turkey has been shown to contain high levels of another substrate xmatic acid. The structure of xmatic acid is one carboxyl group less than santasic acid, which can be readily converted to santasic by the addition of a carboxyl group via the addition of heat. The authors note that cranberry sauce, turkey gravy, sausages and bacon contain substrates which have a free carboxyl group which is readily lost though heating and available for transfer to xmatic acid to form santasic acid.

It has also been observed that brussel sprouts contain an enzyme called alcohol fermatase. This enzyme readily oxidises alcohol into a non-calorific form and inhibits the liver enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase. This theory may help to explain why the large consumption of alcohol of the Christmas period does not result in additional adipose formation.

To reinforce the findings the authors took blood samples from 6 healthy volunteers of varied BMIs. Baseline weights were taken 2 weeks before Christmas and the subjects were followed up on December 25th and again on January 5th. Serum levels of santasic acid and xmatic acid levels peaked on December 25th and remained relatively high on January 5th. Subjects were asked to complete food diaries for the duration of the study and no significant weight gain was noted in any of the subjects. It was also observed that blood levels of the enzyme alcohol fermatase were high in all but one subject (this subject had no mention of brussel sprouts on his food diary, however consumed very little alcohol).

The authors conclude that the high levels of the substrates santasic acid and xmatic acid and the enzyme alcohol fermatase in traditional festive cuisine provide a satisfactory explanation as to the observations why humans gain little excess adipose tissue over Christmas. To further reinforce the validity of the findings more research into the effects of the above substrates and enzymes is required and they may also hold possible answers for future treatments for obesity.

Their findings also collaborate with those of Bunny E, et al 2002 who examined high chocolate consumption over Easter and its subsequent effects on body weight.


So that means we can all chill out and overeat at Xmas with nothing to worry about!! It's now an evidence-based fact!

Nope Not going over this year. I have actually been behaving this holiday season. I overate a few days a few weeks before Christmas, so I'm determined to stay on track. So far so good, and even though it's 8am on Christmas morning now I am done celebrating Christmas, so I made it

I've been eating at maintenance for the last five days and will continue to do so today. I've logged and ate at 1200 calories faithfully for the last 3 months and decided that I deserved a week to eat at maintenance -- to restore hormone levels, etc.

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/the-full-diet-break.html


The funny thing is, I am excited to get back to business and eat at a deficit again. It's been nice to eat more, but at the same time I feel like I'm wasting time. I could be that much closer to my goal.

Anyway, I will probably eat anywhere from 1700-2000 calories today and I'm going to enjoy it!

Yesterday/Christmas Eve I think I came in close to my normal maintenance calories (I'm in maintenance). I had eaten lightly during the day, in order to go all out at a party we went to at night. However, the food that was brought wasn't doing anything for me so I ended up eating some mac n cheese that I brought, some 7 layer salad and then 1/2 slice of pumpkin pie. Actually I may have come in under calories yesterday

Today will definitely include better food-I've got homemade cinnamon rolls going in the oven right now (one cinnamon roll is like 500 calories-score!), and then there will be lots of snacking/chocolate, and a meal tonight at the in-laws which will include pig n blankets-my favorite!

I went over on Christmas eve. I put in a good morning run, controlled my eating during the day, and sat down with a decent deficit after dinner when I remembered we had a bag of chocolate covered almonds in the pantry. I ate a couple, then a few more, and then I looked up and saw the bag was empty: 884 calories in less than half an hour. That little binge eliminated my deficit and put me about 350 calories over for the day. Then I didn't sleep well with that slug of chocolate in my belly. Ugh! Old habits are hard to break. But today's a new day and I intend to treat it like every other day but with more awareness than yesterday.

Merry Christmas to all!

Yes...but it is all about balancing....A great workout in the A.M. nutritional Breakfast/Snack and good Christmas Eats for dinner.... That's why I consider it a lifestyyle

Great answer! I'm maintaining and I am planning on going slightly over my maintenance calories. I'm going to get a good cardio workout in shortly to bank some calories, have a light lunch and enjoy a little bit of everything at dinner.

I log every single day in fact I'm bringing my notebook so I don't forget to jot down everything I eat. It's too easy to forget while I'm laughing and chatting with my family. Obsessive? Maybe, but doing this helped me to lose and keep 80 lbs off for almost one year so I'm continuing!

Happy Holidays everyone!!

I was slightly over yesterday. Today I'll be over by about 2000 and I'll probably be over tomorrow.:blushing:
However, by the weekend I'll be back on track and soooo over-fed that I'll not want to eat anything fatty or high calorie!

This is the first year I'm celebrating it (I'm jewish but we're invited to my mom's boyfriend's), so I probably will and I don't mind that.
Merry Christmas guys :flowerforyou:

I was thinking of going over, honestly under my goal range by a pound or two. But watching my family stuff their faces with mostly mindless endless snacking is turning me off and making me want to count calories for the day.

Yes, and I will not be ashamed about it either. I plan to enjoy my meals and the foods we only eat once a year, ease back on track 12/26 and get back in full force 1/1/2014. I have lost a total of 100 + pounds since April 2012 (50 + since starting myfitnesspal) and have learned that you have to plan indulgences, indulge, don't stress, then get back in action. It works!

It's ok to be fat on Christmas! haha

Yes, I went over by 432 calories on Christmas Eve, and I am totally fine with that amount. I rarely go over and Christmas is one time that I feel it is fine. Personal preference. I may or may not go over today. It really depends on what dessert is available at the family dinner I'm attending ;-)

Yes... Damn pasta.

Yes I did go over xmas eve and day but I will make up for it by exercising and getting back on track food wise on boxing day. It's only one day

Yes, absolutely and I was over yesterday and will be tomorrow too. Then it's back to business as usual. No worries... :bigsmile: