We love the holidays but it can tear your willpower and diet to shreds. Temptation is everywhere and calories can add up causing you to gain weight during the holiday season. But, don’t let the potential weight gain curb merriment. There are actually healthy foods hiding behind those calorie bombs. Here are some foods that are good for you and foods you will want to avoid during this holiday season.
Eat: Sweet Potatoes
They taste like French fries but without the fat. The sweet in the potato comes from an enzyme that converts the starch into sugar as it matures. Sweet potatoes are rich in beta carotene, vitamin C, fiber, and potassium. We love sweet potatoes because aside from being healthy they also taste like dessert since it gets sweeter the longer it is stored or when it is cooked. Sweet potatoes are a good addition to your holiday meal. Cut into fries and bake in the oven for a healthy version of French Fries. You can also search the web for healthy recipes for sweet potato casserole.
Avoid: Eggnog
Did you know that an 8 ounce serving of eggnog has over 250 calories and 5g of saturated fat? Instead of eggnog, sip a glass of red wine.
Eat: Cranberries
According to legend, Native Americans shared cranberries with Pilgrims during the first Thanksgiving. There is evidence that the Native Americans were aware of the health benefits of eating cranberries, and they are right. They are rich in antioxidants, fiber, and potassium. As a bonus, they also contain unique compounds and antibacterial properties that can help prevent urinary tract infection.
Avoid: Dips
Dips are delicious but double as calorie bombs. Some dips like spinach dip sounds healthy, but some recipes call for massive amounts of cheese. Aside from being calorie-rich, dips also contain saturated fat and sodium. Choose salsa and hummus in lieu of dip.
Eat: Cocoa
Chocoholics rejoice! Cocoa in moderation is a healthy treat. Studies show that eating a small amount of chocolate (around 30g) can help lower systolic blood pressure which in turn can lower your risk of stroke and heart disease. Choose dark chocolate that contains at least 70% cocoa solids. These contain the higher levels of antioxidants and flavonoids that are responsible for health benefits.
Avoid: Creamy Soup
Soup that use heavy milk or whole cream as a base are artery clogging and rich in saturated fat. Stick to broth-based soup instead.
Eat: Turkey
Turkey contains high quality protein that triggers satiety. The earlier you feel full, the less food you are going to eat. Turkey – white or dark meat – is one of the lowest calorie holiday foods you can eat. A 3 ounce serving of skinless turkey breast is around 120 calories and 1 gram fat. Make sure to trim off the skin before eating because that’s where the fat is lurking.
Avoid: Mashed Potatoes
Potatoes in their natural state are rich in vitamin c, potassium and other nutrients. However, when you add butter, milk, and salt, mashed potatoes becomes an unhealthy calorie bomb. If you really want mashed potatoes, make a light version that uses a small amount of a buttery cream cheese.
