FROM the very first Advent calendar chocolate eaten on December 1 to the last drop of champagne drained on New Year’s Eve, Christmas is a time of non-stop festive feasting. And with some people munching their way through a grand total of 6,000 calories just on Christmas Day alone, it’s not surprising that many of us start the new year on average 5lbs heavier than a month earlier, with a list of resolutions as long as your arm.

But Christmas doesn’t have to be about pure over-indulgence — with just a little bit of thought, you can enjoy the season of goodwill without feeling the slightest bit guilty.

According to Amanda Johnson, spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association (BDA), Christmas parties can be the worst offenders when it comes to forgetting all about your health regime.

“Parties can be quite difficult,” she says. “You are expected to go to them all and why shouldn’t you? But you can end up eating lots and lots of fatty, unhealthy snacks while you are there.”

Johnson suggests eating before the party to make sure you are not tempted to pick at the wrong kind of foods.

She adds: “Try chatting to people and doing the social bit. The busier you are, the more likely you are to steer clear of the buffet table.”

And if you do have to have a snack, try to give fatty foods like mince pies and sausage rolls a really wide berth and select only those foods that won’t pile on the pounds.

Instead go for raw vegetables with humous, guacamole or salsa dips and chicken or turkey without the skin and fish.

Of course, where there’s a party, more often than not, there is alcohol, and those free-flowing Christmas spirits can be one of the easiest ways to supersize those calories without even realising — while giving you the mother of all headaches the next day.

Johnson says: “Try not to go over-the-top. Watch what you drink and try to alternate your alcohol with soft drinks.”

It’s easy to lose track of how much you’ve drunk when the host or the serving staff are constantly topping up your drink for you, so make sure you only get a refill once you’ve emptied your glass.

And, while no alcohol at all is extremely ‘healthy’ for you - some drinks are worse for you than others. If possible, stay away from alcopops at all costs — they are loaded with hidden extra sugar, sweeteners and additives - so stick instead to wines and pure spirits

Hopefully, you will have now reached the big day itself relatively unscathed - but how can you survive until Boxing Day?

Johnson says: “I think we have a habit at Christmas of doing nothing but eating and drinking all day long.

“But this can spoil things as you end up feeling too full and sluggish.

“Just take it easy and don’t go over-the-top — you can still enjoy yourself without going crazy.”

If you are stocking up on nibbles before dinner, try to go for the healthy options.

Chestnuts — the only low-fat nut around — satsumas, reduced-fat crisps, plain popcorn or dried fruit all make tasty snacks and are a much better option than sweets and chocolates.

Christmas dinner can be one of the healthiest meals you eat all year — at what other time do you eat your five-a-day veg target in one sitting? But it is easy to overdo it when your turkey’s as big as a bison.

For starters, why not try melon or smoked salmon? Salmon will provide you with the omega-3 fatty acids needed to keep your heart healthy.

Follow up with lean turkey without the skin and piles of vegetables — not as insipid as it sounds while giving you lots of antioxidants to help prevent heart disease and cancer .

Try boiling potatoes rather than roasting them — but if you simply can’t live without a couple of roast potatoes on your plate just make sure you go easy on the oil. And cut them into large chunks, as these absorb less fat than small ones.

When making gravy, skim the fat from the turkey juices from the surface and use what’s left behind.

It’s usually the little extras that up your calorie intake, but if you grill sausages and bacon, use a fruit or vegetable-based stuffing and make your bread sauce with skimmed milk, your festive fare will instantly be healthier.

Use low-fat custard or creme fraiche instead of brandy butter or custard on your desserts and remember to chew your food slowly and thoroughly to aid digestion and stop you from overeating.

Then, with the washing-up done and dinner settled, there’s nothing like a short walk on a brisk winter’s afternoon to burn off any extra calories.

And before you know it, you will be seeing in the New Year with only one problem: after such a healthy Christmas, what are your resolutions going to be?