On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me… well, you know how that goes, but if you really did get a partridge — and cooked it — consider yourself lucky. Partridge has less than 260 calories and almost zero fat. However, no one on planet America has ever seen a partridge let alone eat one.
Have a cup of cheer
Did you know, in one cup of eggnog you could be drinking the equivalent of a three-mile run? How about an hour on the treadmill, just from two imitation crab cakes? Ring a ding dong…
One Facebook friend defended her Starbucks eggnog latte with her comment that the holiday season comes but only once a year, making it “totally alright to pig out.” Thank goodness, because come January 2nd, that pigging-out will end up adding two to five extra pounds around your waist — and butt. And, according to this study, that weight gain may last “a lifetime.” It gets worse, according to Dr. Michael Nusbaum, Medical Director at The Obesity Treatment Centers of New Jersey, “studies have suggested that morbidly obese individuals or those with eating disorders can gain 15-20 pounds during the holiday season.”
Clearly, the holidays are more about gaining than giving. Over the holiday season, you could consume a whopping 20,000 calories! Marc Megna, a former NFL player and celebrity trainer, provided the skinny: 4,000 calories consumed at Thanksgiving, drinks and snacks at four Christmas parties: 5,000 calories, Christmas eve dinner: 3,500 calories, Christmas day dinner: 4,000 calories and New Year’s Eve dinner and party: 4,000 calories. With all of those calories, Santa won't be the only one who came to town.
“I'm still carrying a little holiday weight” - Ross Geller, Friends
“People who blame the holidays for overeating are the same people who throughout the rest of the year are blaming outside factors like restaurants, the food manufacturers, portion sizes,” Steve Siebold wrote in an email. Mr. Siebold is the author of Die Fat or Get Tough; 101 Differences in Thinking Between Fat People and Fit People. Fernanda Rocha, one of the Real Housewives of Orange County, told me that the holidays are an opportunity to eat “a little more of the things you wouldn't otherwise eat,” however, she believes that fit people make [healthier] choices even at such gatherings, “being healthy is a choice that is yours for the taking” she said.
Top 6 Geese-a-Laying Naughty Holiday Foods
According to executive chef, Chris Yeo, “Many will be on the naughty list this holiday season for eating such high calorie and high fat foods.” No wonder Santa looks so… um, jolly?
With Mr. Yeo’s help, we’ve compiled six popular “naughty,” fattening holiday foods, with some “nice” alternatives:
1. Eggnog - One cup (8 oz)
You’re naughty: 300 - 350 calories (add 100 calories if Bacardi is your friend), 150 milligrams of cholesterol (half of the USDA's suggested daily limit), and 21 grams of sugar (almost a day's worth). FYI: 300 calories may not be a lot — if you’re having it for lunch — but you’re not having an eggnog for lunch, you’re having it before you eat dinner. A whole lot of dinner.
Be nice: try spiced cider.
If you’re the host: try this Whole Foods apple cider recipe; it is only 110 calories and serves 16.
2. Spinach and artichoke dip - Two teaspoons
You’re naughty: 285 calories // 17 grams of fat
Ingredients: cream cheese, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, shredded cheese as garnish, a little spinach chiffonade and a few chopped artichokes.
Be nice: two teaspoons adds up quickly, especially when it’s dangling at the end of a tasteless celery stick. Skip the spinach dip entirely. Load up on bell peppers and broccoli, both high in vitamin c which have been found to fight -- and prevent -- hangovers.
If you’re the host: serve a high-protein mustard dip made with dry mustard, vinegar, water, egg whites and light cream cheese. Serve with Newman’s Own Organics high protein pretzels. Only 110 calories per serving.
3. Crab cakes - One
You’re naughty: 400 calories // 19 grams of fat
Ingredients: blended mayo, possibly fake crab meat, rolled in bread crumbs, and cooked in saturated fat.
Be nice: skip this nonsense entirely. Mingle some more.
If you’re the host: replace the crab meat with a lower-calorie product like tuna, ideal for burger formation. Mayo and bread crumbs can be swapped for lower calorie options. Use egg substitutes for fewer calories or use only egg whites. Instead of frying the patties, grill them. Brett Blumenthal’s “Get Real” line includes a delicious Spiced Tuna on Crackers appetizer. Not only is it high in protein and fiber, it will cost much less than crab cakes.
4. Christmas ham - One slice or 3 oz
You’re naughty: 170 calories (varies on sauces and glazes)
Ingredients: (sauces) brown sugar, syrup, sugar-coated pineapple, store-bought condiments, sodium, cloves.
Be nice: stick with the lean side and avoid drowning in sauce. At only 170 calories, this is an ideal “pig out” dish.
If you’re the host: choose shank and smoked (less fatty). Also low-sodium. Try serving with a low-calorie salsa for variety.
5. Stuffing - One scoop or half-cup
You’re naughty: 550 calories
Ingredients: typically loaded with butter and can contain assorted high-fat
meats, such as sausage. Beware of the instant varieties; extremely high in salt and include naughty ingredients like hydrogenated soybean oil, wheat gluten, malt dextrin (sugar), MSG, corn syrup and a dash of celery and parsley so they can add it to the label.
Be nice: go ahead, eat it. It’s Christmas.
If you’re the host: replace butter with low-sodium chicken broth (try Pacific Foods), and skip sausage and add in low-fat chicken. Or try a gluten-free stuffing, all-around healthier.
6. Pecan pie - One, small slice
You’re naughty: 810 calories (!) // 65 grams of fat
Ingredients: cream, sugar, pecans (naturally fattening).
Be nice: if there’s cheescake, go for that instead; 260 calories.
If you’re the host: offer pumpkin pie; chock-full of fiber, Vitamin A, potassium, vitamin C and is lower in calories and fat. Try serving up Christine Avanti’s high-protein (23g!) “Pumpkin Pie and Cottage Cheese.” Low in fat and sodium and contains fat-friendly flaxseed.
Grrr… Dieting
Find out why when you eat is as important as what you eat
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