Revealed: the extent of our greed at Christmas

THE average person in Britain could consume the equivalent of half a pack of lard in saturated fat, and as much salt as would be found in 50 packets of crisps, on Christmas Day, the British Heart Foundation has warned.

In a survey, the charity asked 2,000 people who ­celebrate Christmas what they eat and drink over the festive period. They found that for many people, the Christmas indulgence starts before the turkey is even in the oven.

More than one in ten choose a full English breakfast for Christmas morning, with 14 per cent opting for a bacon sandwich.

The typical fried breakfast contains around 1,200 calories, and a bacon sandwich with brown sauce can contain over half an adult’s recommended daily salt allowance.

Almost three-quarters of those surveyed said they eat a traditional turkey dinner on 25 December. With all the trimmings, the typical Christmas meal adds up to 660 calories.

More than half of people asked said they would follow this with Christmas pudding, with 23 per cent planning to have cream. Between meals, 40 per cent said they snacked on nuts and 30 per cent on crisps, both of which are often laden with added salt.

A third of people will eat at least one mince pie, and more than half enjoy chocolates throughout the day.

Combined with overindulgence at meal times, sweet snacks bring the average ­person’s Christmas Day sugar intake to the equivalent of 
32 teaspoons.

Christmas is a chance to enjoy a glass of wine or two, but one in ten people said they drink more than 13 units of alcohol, the equivalent of 13 shots of whisky in one day.

After breakfast, lunch and dinner, the British Heart Foundation estimates that the average Briton could have consumed up to 64g of saturated fat, more than double the recommended daily allowance for men, and three times that for women.

Too much saturated fat can raise a person’s risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

Nearly a quarter of people surveyed admitted that they do absolutely no exercise over the entire Christmas period.

Victoria Taylor, senior heart health dietician at the British Heart Foundation, said: “I’m sure many of us will overindulge on Christmas Day.

“We’re not saying you shouldn’t have any fun, but neither your heart nor your waistline will thank you for eating and drinking to excess by the time January arrives.”