5 Holiday Foods to Stay Away From

Published by sweetspot.ca on 2011/12/01

’Tis the season for wining, dining, and often, overindulging. Don’t let these tempting treats destroy your year of hard work. No need to avoid them completely, just watch your portions when it comes to these five festive treats.

Eggnog
The traditional holiday beverage might offer temporary comfort, but not joy. One cup weighs in with a day’s worth of sugar, 343 calories and a whopping, 19 grams of fat. Adding a shot of holiday cheer delivers another 100 calories. Best stick with homemade hot chocolate or a festive glass of fizz. Or make your own eggnog, using low-fat milk, rum extract and freshly grated nutmeg.

Pigs in a Blanket
We like anything that’s all wrapped up during the season, but mini sausages encased in dough are not a gift we want to receive. Five of these little presents deliver roughly half of our recommended daily fat intake and 470 calories. Sure it’s a party favourite, but so is fooling around with the office photocopier — and neither is a good idea.

Pecan Pie
Don’t be fooled by the health benefits of nuts. When they’re combined en masse with butter, sugar and corn syrup, all bets are off. It’s no surprise this holiday dessert tips the scales, clocking in at 500 calories per slice. You’d need to do an hour of intense cardio to burn off that indulgence. Stick to apple or pumpkin pie and save yourself half a workout.

Dips
Laden with cheese, sour cream and often mayonnaise, whether you’re tucking into spinach-artichoke, french onion or seven layer, you’ll want to think twice before dipping and dining. Averaging 200 calories and over 15 grams of fat per serving (not including the cracker or chip used for scooping), this is one appetizer best left for Santa. Stick to hummus or homemade guacamole with crudities and slim crackers.

Potato Pancakes
We all know oil is the power point of Hanukkah, but frying those latkes comes at a price, 204 calories and 11 grams of fat per pancake, to be exact. Leave the oil to the lamps and enjoy low-fat potato pancakes baked at a high temperature on pre-heated cookie sheets.

Sweet Tip: Stock up on herbal teas such as peppermint and licorice for some guiltless, seasonal cheer.