My dad has just been put on a fat-free diet until he can have his gall bladder removed in January. What would be a healthy alternative to the indulgent Christmas Day lunch?

Gosh, this is rather bad timing for your dad because it means that traditional things such as big tins of chocolates and brandy butter are off the agenda. But, looking on the bright side, most people with gallstones can tolerate some fat and the condition often means sufferers adjusting intakes according to individual tolerance levels. It is therefore more a case of going “low fat” rather than “fat free”.

There are lots of things that he can still tuck into that have a real seasonal feel and your dad may well find that, overall, he is in a healthier state come January. He may shed a few pounds (if he needs to) and his cholesterol and blood pressure levels may benefit as well.

Anyway, let's concentrate on Christmas lunch. I'd advise him to buy a free-range or organic bird with about 2g of fat per 100g once roasted, compared with a self-basted bird with 10g of fat per 100g, and serve it without the skin. Have this with carrots puréed with a little stock along with sprouts and chestnuts, broccoli and a baked sweet potato, as these tend to be more moist than standard ones.

You can make a low-fat gravy by “frying” half a finely chopped onion in a little water or Fry Light cooking spray until soft and golden, then using powdered Bisto and making it up according to the pack instructions, adding vegetable stock. The whole main course supplies only 5g of fat and 375 calories.

For dessert, there is a great low-fat Christmas pudding recipe on www.weightlossresources.co.uk that has only 1.6g of fat (and 219 calories) per serving compared with 11g per serving for the traditional version. It can be served with custard made with skimmed milk.

Alternatively, you could bake or grill some bananas and serve them with Grand Marnier, which you flambé at the table, or a beautiful fresh fruit salad garnished with redcurrants and pomegranate seeds to give a seasonal feel.

Seasonal savings
A low-fat alternative

- Traditional accompaniments such as sausages wrapped in bacon are tricky. One of these provides about 7g of fat. Swap for a prune wrapped in half a rasher of very lean back bacon for 2g of fat.

- Bread sauce made with whole milk has 1.8g of fat per serving. Reduce this to virtually zero by making it with skimmed milk.

- Cranberry sauce is fine. It is naturally fat free.

- A mince pie can easily have 245 calories and 9g of fat. Make a version using filo pastry. They have 0.7g of fat and 52 calories each.

If you have a nutrition question for Amanda, e-mail amandaursell@thetimes.co.uk

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