Worst Holiday Foods to Eat, And What to Choose Instead
Worst Holiday Foods to Eat, And What to Choose Instead
December 19, 2016 at 9:35 AM
During the holidays, you’ll likely encounter a lot of delicious, but fattening foods. There’s baked brie, pies, eggnog and more that can put a damper on your diet plans. Now, we’re taking a look at some of the worst offenders during the holiday season, and offering some useful suggestions about what to eat instead.
Eggnog
One of the worst holiday foods you can have is eggnog. While it may “just be a drink,” this alcoholic beverage is packed full of calories. If you have just one cup of this drink, you’ll be gulping down about 350 calories, and about half of those calories will be from fat. In fact, just one serving gives you about 50 percent of your daily cholesterol value.
Instead of drinking eggnog, choose mulled wine or cider instead. While it’s still a sweet drink, it won’t be nearly as bad in terms of calories.
Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casseroles may be full of vegetables, but that doesn’t mean they’re healthy. If you factor in the fried onion topping, butter, and cream that goes into it, you wind up with a dish that contains about 750 calories per batch, and a lot of sodium!
Instead of eating your usual green bean casserole, try for some roasted brussel sprouts.
Mixed Nuts
If you’re going to a holiday party, odds are you’ll see a bowl of mixed nuts on one of the tables. While this may seem like a healthy choice, just a couple handfuls of nuts can easily net you half a cup, which is about 450 calories.
Instead, choose to go with a small serving of a spiced-nut mix. You’ll feel like you’re having a treat, and will be more likely to have less nuts rather than more.
Baked Brie
Baked brie may taste delicious, but it also has a high calorie and cholesterol count. You can easily eat 500 calories or more with just a few bites of baked brie spread on crackers. And while it may be tempting sitting out on that holiday table, there are better choices for your diet.
Instead of the baked brie, choose yogurt dips, like a tzatziki. Also try goat’s cheese, though only in moderation.
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes taste delicious, and are often covered in cream and butter. In fact, just one cup of traditional garlic mashed potatoes with gravy winds up being 420 calories. This is largely because of the dairy that often goes into them.
Instead of mashed potatoes, try a baked sweet potato without the extra toppings, or try an ear of corn. Any of these options are less caloric and also healthier than the usual mashed potatoes.
Eat Healthy This Holiday Season
This holiday season, remember to make healthy choices. You’ll thank yourself in the long run, and also will still be able to enjoy the holidays! If you want to get started on an official weight loss plan, then also consider giving us a call at Medical Weight Loss Solutions. We’ll tailor-fit a fitness and diet plan to meet your needs.