We all know that trying to avoid that extra holiday weight gain can present quite a challenge, but did you know that some foods we think are not “too bad” can really blow you away when you know the amount of calories they contain? And I am not just talking about what you may eat at the holiday dinner table, but what you might be tempted to eat while out and about doing your holiday shopping or at parties. Here are 10 calorie bombs to avoid this holiday season.
10 Calorie Bombs to Avoid this Holiday Season
If you will be out and about, here are some chain beverages and foods to avoid:
Starbucks’ Pumpkin Pie Spiced Latte might not seem so bad because it’s just a beverage, right? Did you know that this hot drink that everyone goes crazy over actually contains 380 calories and a crazy 52 grams of carbs?
Panera’s Pumpkin Muffin probably does not trick you into thinking it is “healthy” since it is topped with powdered sugar, but don’t fool yourself into thinking it is “healthier” just because it is a muffin. It can pack 590 calories and nearly 91 grams of carbs!
Caribou Coffee’s Wild Pumpkin cooler might temp you into thinking it must not be too many calories because it’s cold, but this drink packs an amazing 493 calories and 73 grams of carbs!
If something has fruit in it, it can’t be that bad, right? With Arby’s Apple Crisp, that is definitely not true. This little baby pops a whopping 550 Calories and 71 grams of carbs.
While a cinnamon roll is not usually something we think of as healthy, it should be noted that it’s probably worse than you think. A Cinnabon regular roll has nearly 900 calories!
If you will be attending a party, here are some foods to avoid:
Eggnog has around 223 calories per cup and 20 grams of carbs.
Veggie trays with ranch can be a calorie bomb if you pile on the dressing. Ranch dressing can have around 150 calories in just a couple tablespoons!
Mixed nuts are very healthy if you are just looking at the vitamin and good-for-you oils in them, however, they are also high in calories. If you have just 2 handfuls, you are looking at over 400 calories.
Baked Brie with crackers is a savory holiday favorite, but you can easily eat 500 calories in just a couple bites of this tasty snack.
Dried fruits such as those found on holiday plates and sometimes in the ever-traditional fruitcake pack a lot of calories compared to their fresh cousins. The sugar is highly concentrated in this variety and it adds up to lots of calories very quickly. Besides, don’t we all want an excuse to skip the fruitcake?
Holiday Diet Tips
While these delicious holiday snacks and beverages have a lot of calories, I wanted to include some low calorie options and tips. Here are some lower calorie switches and tips for avoiding calorie over-kill for you holiday favorites:
Try hummus instead of ranch dip for your vegetables. It only has about 50 calories per serving.
Take the skin off your turkey to save some calories.
Try making a mousse out of pumpkin instead of pumpkin pie. Skipping the crust can save you lots of calories.
Make sure you eat breakfast or lunch before heading to a holiday get-together. Avoiding that over-hungry feeling can help you keep your snacking and servings in check.
What are some of your favorite low calorie holiday treats? I would love if you shared them in the comments!
Other Healthy Holiday Tips
Making Healthy Food Choices During the Holiday Season
5 Healthy (and Easy) Thanksgiving Ingredient Swaps
Indoor Exercises for When the Weather is Bad
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