5 Fattening Foods To Avoid This Holiday Season

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It’s easy to justify a little splurge during the holiday season, after all, it only happens once a year. Right? Unfortunately, most people do more than a little splurging around the holidays. From holiday parties to buffets, Christmas and Christmas Eve dinner, to New Years celebrations, food is an important part of the holiday experience and the temptations can be endless. It’s easy to be deceived when it comes to sizing up the calorie content of traditional holiday food. After all, you grew up eating these foods, how bad can they be? Unfortunately, looks can be deceiving when it comes to calorie counting. Here are some of the most fattening traditional holidays foods you may want to avoid.

Traditional holiday foods: Macaroni and Cheese

Yes, it just might be the ultimate comfort food but when you step on the scale after overindulging on it, you may not feel comfortable with the number the scale spits back at you. This luscious little side dish packs enough calories and fat when made using whole milk and full fat cheese, but when you throw in a little sausage and other high fat additions, the calorie and fat content climbs quickly. The average serving of macaroni and cheese has just under 400 calories and around 11 grams of fat. Unless you made it yourself with skim milk and low fat cheese, it’s best not to overindulge in this holiday food.

Egg Nog

What would the holidays be without a cup of warm egg nog? Chances are your waistline and arteries would be just fine without this sweet and creamy holiday treat. At around 350 calories and 12 grams of fat, you’re going to be doing a lot of jogging to work off those excess calories. A healthier substitute might be a cup of hot chocolate flavored with low fat milk and cinnamon.

Pecan Pie

No one makes pecan pie like your mom, but chances are she didn’t make it all that healthy. With over 500 calories and 25 grams of fat, you may suffer dessert lover’s remorse if you eat a slice of this decadent holiday treat. A better option would be the pumpkin pie which can have as few as 150 calories per slice. Don’t even think about adding that scoop of whipped cream that makes it taste so enticing.
Carrot Cake

Who knows how this decadent dessert got a reputation for being healthy? Maybe it’s the carrots. Don’t be fooled. This popular little holiday offering can have up to 650 calories and 34 grams of fat. This should take care of your dessert quota for the week. Of course you can always console yourself with the thought that the vitamin A in the carrots is helping your vision.

The Cheeseball

You’ll surely see this dessert beauty perched atop a buffet table at a Christmas or New Year’s Eve party. Although it may look tempting covered in fresh nuts, keep in mind that a serving can have up to 400 calories and 40 grams of fat. And a serving isn’t even all that large. Steer clear of this one. There’s bound to be better options.

By dodging these five traditional holiday food bullets you may actually be able to get through the holidays and still fit into those size six jeans come the new year.

By Dr. Kristie