How much are you eating this Christmas? The calculator adds up ALL the calories you consume from eating roasted potatoes, turkey and pigs in blankets
From the mouthwatering slices of turkey to that mountain of crispy baked potatoes, have you ever wondered how many calories you eat on Christmas Day?
Well, now you can find out with MailOnline’s calculator.
Built with more than 30 festive staples, it lets you choose how many servings of spuds, Brussels sprouts, and pigs in blankets you’ll inevitably pile on your plate.
As well as the traditional turkey, our tool also includes gammon, duck, chicken, lamb and countless other meat or vegetarian alternatives that Brits can opt for.
According to the NHS advice, men should stick to around 2,500 calories a day, while women need around 2,000.
A calorie is a way of measuring energy, either the amount contained in food or the amount used through activity.
The amount of calories a person burns per day is determined by their metabolism: the bodily process that converts food into energy for breathing, thinking and moving.
Metabolism is determined by age, gender and body size.
People gain weight when they consume more calories than they burn through daily activities.
To lose weight, more calories must be consumed than taken in.
As a result, restricting calories is the first step for many looking to shed some pounds, with dozens of apps available to track meals and tally calories.
However, focusing only on calories fails to take into account the nutrition in a person’s diet, experts warn.
For example, there is only one calorie in a Diet Coke, but about 100 in an apple – but the former offers no nutritional benefits, while the latter is packed with fibre, potassium and vitamin C.
And for better health, a diet should be packed with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains—rather than just low in calories.
Calorie counting works for some trying to lose weight, but many report it doesn’t yield results – with factors such as the type of food eaten and gut health also affecting the number of calories the body burns, so studies have shown.
Those who do see success with calorie counting may also face the challenge of their bodies having to adapt to a low-calorie diet by lowering their metabolism – which can make it challenging to keep the pounds from gaining back on.