
7 Healthy Holiday Food Swaps
Aside from being the season of giving, the holidays also tend to be the season of eating. With the countless nutritional land mines one may encounter at holiday parties and work potlucks, it can be easy to fall into a dietary disaster.
So what should you do if you're trying to watch your calories during the holidays?
Below are ideas for healthy holiday swaps that can work as a substitute for some of your favorite holiday sides or desserts. By making these small switches at your next get-together, you can truly toast another happy – and healthy – holiday season and New Year!
Instead of This: Eggnog, 1 cup (400 calories)
Choose This: Wine, 5 ounces (120 calories)
Calories Saved: 280
Instead of This: Candied pecans, 1/2 cup (500 calories)
Choose This: Shrimp cocktail, ½ cup (112 calories)
Calories Saved: 388
Instead of This: Cheese (one ounce) and crackers (one serving) (230 calories)
Choose This: Grilled veggies (1 cup) with 4 Tbsp Greek yogurt ranch dip (80 calories)
Calories Saved: 150
Instead of This: Homemade macaroni & cheese, 1 cup (450 calories)
Choose This: Green bean casserole (made with low fat cream of mushroom soup), 1 cup (116 calories)
Calories Saved: 334
Instead of This: Sweet potato casserole (267 calories)
Choose This: Baked sweet potato, small (103 calories)
Calories Saved: 164
Instead of This: Oyster dressing, one cup (330 calories)
Choose This: Dinner roll with butter (130 calories)
Calories Saved: 200
Instead of This: Pecan pie, 1 slice (541 calories)
Choose This: Pumpkin pie, one slice (323 calories)
Calories Saved: 218
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