The holidays are here and so are all the festivities. The holiday season is known for all the parties and get togethers and of course, all the holiday foods. For those of us trying to maintain a healthy diet, it’s difficult to stay away form all those holiday food treats. So, if you can’t say no to all the holiday foods, at least try to stay away from some of these worst and least healthy holiday foods.
Eggnog is a well-known holiday favorite but maybe you should stay away from it. With its cream, eggs, sugar and liquor this holiday favorite packs about 600 calories per cup. For the caloric price of one cup of eggnog, you could enjoy three classes of champagne, or three glasses of red wine or three glasses of sparkling fruit punch made with champagne, diet ginger ale and fruit.
Spinach and Artichoke dip sounds like a healthy choice, until you realize that just half a cup contains about 300-400 calories and 30-40 g of fat. Instead try looking for other dips for your chips. Half a cup of bean dip is only 70 calories and 6g of fat.
For many people, it’s just not a holiday meal without a side of mashed potatoes. But just one cup of garlic mashed potatoes and half a cup of gravy totals 420 calories. If you just can’t avoid those mashed potatoes at least try a smaller serving to satisfy your urge.
If you’ll be having turkey for any of your holiday meals, stay away from the dark meat with skin if you can. Dark meat with skin has 70 more calories and three times more fat per serving than plain white meat without skin. The skin alone can hold up to 44 grams of total fat.
Enjoy all the good food this holiday season, just try to be smart about it.
