Holiday Treats: The Healthier Choice

   It's ok to splurge on occasion and this holiday season is one time of year you may be tempted the most. So here a guide to help you make a healthier choice when splurging on holiday treats. 

Beverages
Hot Chocolate -vs- Egg Nog?

Hot chocolate is the better choice. A cup of hot chocolate contains about 270 calories, while a cup of egg nog made with egg yolks, cream whole milk and sugar contains about 400 calories and 20 grams of fat.










Comfort Breakfast Food
Muffin -vs- Donut?

Believe it or not a donut is the better choice! A basic glazed donut contains about 250 calories while a muffin which tends to be over sized and dense contains about 500+ calories.






Mall Snack
Cinnamon Bun -vs- Pretzel with Cheese?

Although bringing your own snack to the mall is the best option, if you're in a bind a pretzel with cheese is the smarter choice with 440 calories. One cinnamon bun packs an outrageous 880 calories and contains 15 teaspoons (65 grams) of sugar! Even if you were to split it with a friend, it contains more sugar than you need in a snack.





Appetizer
Spinach and Artichoke Dip -vs- Baked Brie?

Baked brie is the lighter choice with 200 calories per 1/2 cup serving. Although spinach and artichoke dip seems like the better choice with all the green veggies a 1/2 cup contains about 300 calories. To lighten up a spinach and artichoke dip recipe cut the cheese by a 1/3 and/or add in more veggies.




Entree
Ham -vs- Prime Rib?

Ham, although high in sodium, is much leaner than prime rib. A 6 oz serving of ham contains about 270 calories while a 6oz prime rib contains over 700 calories and 60 grams of fat (that's more fat than you need in one day!).







Desserts
Fudge -vs- Holiday cookie?

No matter how you slice is a holiday cookie is the better choice. One cookie contains about 100 calories while a 1.5 inch square of fudge, which can easily be eaten in one bite, contains 220 calories and twice the amount of sugar as a cookie.