We all agree with the saying: "It does not get fat from Christmas to New Year, but from New Year to Christmas", and it is true that one can not think of starting the diet on the eve. However, being able to choose between different sweets typical of the holidays (because practically every region has at least one), we can try to reduce the calorie bill.

The challenge between the two great classics, panettone is Pandoro, at least on the caloric front (but not only, according to a recent survey), the first wins. A slice of about 110 grams of the typical Milanese Christmas cake presents 370 calories, while the same portion of the Venetian specialty reaches up to 450 calories.

Among the high-calorie ones, the panforte, prepared according to the tradition of Siena, with honey, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, dried figs and candied fruit: make tbetween 400 and 430 approximately calories per hectogram. The recipes to prepare it are many, and sometimes even one ingredient can make the difference in the energy balance: in addition to white panforte there is also the black with candied melon instead of cedar, cocoa and chili.

The Nougat it is prepared in several municipalities and regions: of course in Cremona, then in Sardinia, Veneto, Calabria and Sicily, in Benevento, in L'Aquila and in Camerino. The classic recipe is based on dried fruit (hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts), mixed with egg white, honey and sugar, in a sheet of host made with potato starch. For about 480 calories every 100 grams. But we must take into account the fact that a portion should be 50 grams, and not by an ounce.

The struffoli, the sweet balls typical of Campania, are made with shortcrust pastry rich in eggs, butter and sugar. And they are fried in oil before being covered with honey, orange peel and cedar: no wonder if they are quite caloric. One ounce brings about 500 calories.

There is also the Christmas log, the roll stuffed with chocolate. It is one of the most demanding sweets on an energy level: one serving of more than 500 calories (or 560 if the cream is milk chocolate). On the other hand, if the filling is done with the marrons glacés, the contribution drops to 300 calories per pound.

Surprisingly, the Sicilian cassata, prepared with sponge cake, ricotta, chocolate, candied fruit and liqueur, is not that energy bomb that you could imagine: one ounce brings about 270 calories.

The ideal would be limited to a portion of 60 grams of dried fruit: three nuts and six peanuts for only 195 calories. Or at 40 grams of dates, which bring about 90 calories. Or better yet, forget about the scale until 7 January.