Friday, December 26, 2008

America's Worst Holiday Foods

Christmas CookiesI don't know about you, but food is the last thing on my mind. Holiday food is so heavy! I'm looking forward to getting the leftovers out of the house and eat some healthy salads!

I'm sure you agree that the holiday season is a time when we loosen our belts on healthy eating and indulge in traditional holiday fare - I know I do.

In fact, studies show the average person consumes an extra 600 calories a day between Thanksgiving and New Year's, which translates to an extra six pounds of belly fat heading into 2009.

Following is the very worst of the season's eatings and some suggested alternatives.

Starbucks Venti Peppermint White Chocolate MochaWorst Coffee Drink
Starbucks Venti Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha
660 calories
22 g fat (15 g saturated)
95 g sugars

Drink this instead:
Starbucks Venti Caffe Au Lait with Peppermint Syrup
150 calories
5 g fat (3.5 g saturated)
17 g sugars

Egg NogWorst Classic Holiday Drink
Egg Nog
350 calories
19 g fat
22 g sugars

Drink this instead:
Hot Chocolate
120 calories
4 g fat
15 g sugars

Crab CakesWorst Appetizer
Crab Cake
400 calories
19 g fat

Eat this instead:
Shrimp Cocktail (12 shrimp)
165 calories
1 g fat

Gin and TonicWorst Cocktail
Gin and Tonic
210 calories
22 g sugars

Drink this instead:
Champagne
100 calories
5 g sugars

Spinach and Artichoke DipWorst Snack
Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip
285 calories
17 g fat (11 g saturated)

Eat this instead:
Melon Balls Wrapped in Prosciutto
100 calories
7 g fat (2 g saturated)

Prime RibWorst Entrée
Prime Rib
750 calories
45 g fat

Eat this instead:
Beef Tenderloin
165 calories
7 g fat (3 g saturated)

Pecan Pie a la ModeWorst Dessert
Pecan Pie a la Mode
810 calories
65 g fat
55 g sugars

Eat this instead:
Chocolate Fondue
340 calories
10 g fat
28 g sugars

Samuel Adams Holiday PorterWorst Holiday Beer
Samuel Adams Holiday Porter
211 calories
13 g carbohydrates
6% Alcohol

Drink this instead:
Sam Adams Light
124 calories
9 g carbohydrates
4.2% alcohol

Have you indulged in any of these foods or drinks lately? I have! Last Friday, I had a slice of pecan pie and tomorrow I'll be eating my famous artichoke dip.

Source: here



Related Article:

11 Tips To Help You Enjoy The Holidays Without Packing on the Pounds



© 2008 Thanks for taking the time to read A Junk-Foodaholic's Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle. Please feel free to peruse my blog for more great content. Whole Food Nation

My Other Websites: Are Your Vitamins Safe? Whole Food Nation Affiliate Link

16 comments:

tahtimbo said...

I think I may have to try each one. You know, fact checking:) You got my mouth watering on the creamed artichoke and spinach dip. I like to serve it in a sourdough bread dish. Maybe for New Year's Eve, I'll hop off the diet train and make it.

Anonymous said...

Hey!
Interesting read here. So true, many more calories at these Holidays!

Jacey of Altairi said...

ooooh don't tell me that about the Starbucks drink! I never used to like starbucks---I prefer making my own coffee for free but my friends got me addicted to the Peppermint Mocha Twist! I've had like 100 of them this season!!! haha and I wonder why my jeans are so tight

Sandee said...

I eat lightly on Thanksgiving and Christmas and usually gain about a pound. Within a couple of days after the holiday my weight is back where it was.

All the leftovers leave when the guests leave. Each has their own packaged goodies and when the following day rolls around you will find hubby and I back to our usual meals.

Except for the champagne I don't do the rest of your list. So, I won't go into the new year weighing more. I love it.

Have a terrific day. :)

Babs (Beetle) said...

I don't often eat much more at Christmas - except maybe a few sweets - thank goodness :O)

You might be interested in my latest post that links to yours.

Anonymous said...

Ooooo, but that prime rib was absolutely heavenly! No worry - it was so good, the host didn't have any to send home as leftovers, dangit....

Anonymous said...

My wife had one of those Starbucks things just today! That thing was so sweet I took a sip and thought my teeth would rot right out of my head.

I prefer good ol' black coffee, frankly...

ktales said...

I may have to keep the prime rib :)

When numbers are associated to food, it does help to put them into perspective. Why do you think fast food restaurants are fighting to keep those numbers off.

KT - contest prep

Anonymous said...

Hey! Thanks for the Starbucks tip. Since I've been committed to a better diet I have been sticking to a boring Americano at SB...I am going to try your suggestion for a "doctored up" Caffe Au Lait next time!

Matt said...

Holy cow! Why does everything good have to be so bad for you. By the way, I am addicted to ice cream and cheeses, so please don't ruin that for me. LOL :)

Sadie said...

I've eaten my share of sweets this year, but definitely not as bad as usual. This was really interesting to read!

Anonymous said...

Hey! I did pretty good this season. I did have one of the Sam Adam's holiday beers, but that was my ONLY alcoholic beverage consumption in the month of December, so there! I didn't have any pecan pie, which is very unusual for me. Didn't have any of that other stuff, either. (Prime rib? What's that? Huh!)

It's good that we can make better choices as we indulge ourselves a bit.

Reese said...

Never drink your calories! I'd rather have a piece of cake than a Starbucks anyday!

Of course, I eat marshmallow fluff out of the jar, so I'm not the best to comment!

Ari from ParentalInstincts.com said...

The difference between those two Starbucks drinks is staggering!

CastoCreations said...

Wow...I don't think I've ever eating any of those foods. I'm too picky. But I did OD on fudge and a few other less than healthy treats. :)

Laura said...

Tahtimbo - OMG... Artichoke dip is heavenly! :) I hope you enjoyed some too!

Leo - Yup! The calories are high and the food so yummy.

Stiletto Sports Jen - Hahahaha! I don't drink coffee or coffee drinks but don't get me started on how good coffee ice cream is. OMG! I've been sooo bad this holiday season. Speaking of being bad - If you want to try something awesome, get an Oreo pie crust, fill it with coffee ice cream (thawed & refrozen). Then serve with Cool Whip drizzled with chocolate syrup. This coming from someone who doesn't like coffee!

Sandee - I'm jealous!!! Wow, you're good!

Babs - Again, I'm envious. Thanks for the link love! :)

Theresa - Hmmmm... Prime rib. Sounds wonderful! I can't remember the last time I've eaten any.

The Hawg - Bwahahahahaha! I know! My daughter likes iced coffee drinks and frapaccinos and stuff like that. Waaaaay too sweet for me too!

Ktales - Yes, I agree. The numbers can certainly shock you!

Kathy - I hope you like your 'doctored-up' drink! :)

Matt - Hahahaha! I know, me too! Dern. It's just not fair is it?

Sadie - Thanks! Seeing the calories really makes you think doesn't it? Me too!

Carol - That's great you didn't overindulge! I did but only just a bit. I've done a lot worse!

Reese - Hahahaha! I agree, eating calories is much better. Marshmallow fluff huh? I have a friend that likes that as well as cookie dough.

Ari - It sure is! :)

CastoCreations - Boy, I sure wish I was more picky. I had a little fudge and a lot more other goodies! My mom insists on giving all us kids a huge basket filled with fudge, cookies etc. We ate a little and then the next day I took it all to work to get it out of the house fast!

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