Low-Cal Holiday Treats to Indulge In
The holidays are famous for their ability to help us pack on the pounds, but you can satisfy your sweet tooth without ruining your diet with these tasty lower-calorie treats. Tried and true favorites have made the cut; the key is portion control!
1. Sugar Cookies
Few can resist the allure of Santa shaped cookies decorated with colored sprinkles, and the fact of the matter is that you don’t have to! Allow yourself to indulge in one or two sugar cookies. At around 70 calories a piece, this is a lower calorie treat you can enjoy during the holidays and still feel on track with your diet.
2. Hot Chocolate
Hot cocoa generally has about 120 calories for a 6 oz. serving, but there’s no reason you can’t enjoy this sweet treat on a cold winter day. If you do indulge, limit yourself to one cup and curl up in front of a cozy fireplace with a good book and enjoy!
3. White Wine
Wine and other alcohol tends to be a huge calorie culprit during the holidays, especially when drinks are flowing and no one is really paying attention to how much they are consuming. To make a lower-calorie adult beverage you can feel good about indulging in, mix a glass of half white whine and half seltzer water for a white wine spritzer. You shave off half the calories and your drink will last longer — with less alcohol, to boot!
4. Shrimp Cocktail
If you can’t keep your eyes (or your hands!) off the shrimp cocktail, feel free to nab a few. This is actually a fairly healthy snack to munch on during the holiday festivities, because 10 medium shrimp with cocktail sauce only have about 70 calories! Plus, you’ll be getting a bunch of protein and other nutrients to help keep you healthy.
5. Ham or Turkey
No one wants to avoid eating the main dish at a holiday party, but meats can be a surprising calorie culprit if you pour on the gravy. To enjoy the meal without the guilt, omit the gravy and chow down!
6. Pumpkin Pie
While not strictly low-calorie, a small slice of pumpkin pie won’t hurt if you’ve been making healthy choices throughout the party. A small slice will net you a little over 200 calories, but pumpkin offers an excellent source of potassium and fiber that your body needs to thrive. Stick to one small slice for your after-dinner treat and you won’t need to worry about your waistline!
While these are just a sampling of lower-calorie holiday treats you can indulge in, the trick is moderating your intake of everything you put in your mouth this season. Choose ahead of time what to splurge on instead of mindlessly snacking on everything that passes your way; moderate your portion control and make sensible choices and you can have a great holiday season with delicious foods you love without the guilt!
What are your favorite low-cal holiday treats?
