Be strategic about your snacking picks
Ellie Krieger for The Washington Post shared that some traditional foods are essential to our personal holiday experiences, connecting us to loved ones past and present and fulfilling us in ways beyond what any nutritional analysis could measure.
But most of the edibles at holiday parties don’t have nearly that status, and there is more than one option that will hit the spot no matter the craving.
In those cases, choosing smartly means you get to enjoy bigger portions that are better for you. These party swaps illustrate just how much more bang for your calorie buck you can get, without sacrificing a drop of holiday spirit.
7 potato chips vs. 17 pistachios - 75 calories
Both bring a salty crunch by the handful, but you can have more than twice as many pistachios as potato chips for the same calories, and the nuts also have a wealth of nutrients. Plus, getting them shell-on means built-in portion control, because cracking them slows you down and the shells pile up, so you can track how many you have eaten.
2 mini pigs in blankets vs. 9 jumbo cocktail shrimp - 116 calories
For the same calories, you get more than four times as many shrimp, and that volume alone will leave you feeling more satisfied.
Plus, the shrimp provide more protein and essential minerals, without any of the unhealthy fat or nitrates.
1 tablespoon sour-cream-and-onion dip vs. 6 tablespoons salsa - 30 calories
Besides the huge portion difference per calorie, tomato-based salsas are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which might help you fight off the colds that tend to get passed around at parties this time of year.
3 tortilla chips vs. 20 pieces cruditeés - 60 calories
Taking advantage of the cut vegetable platter means exponentially more crunchy dipping power than you get with chips.
Health-wise, the more vegetables the better, so dipping them in salsa is a doubly smart move.
1 mug eggnog with rum vs. 4 flutes champagne - 380 calories
I’m not saying you should drink four glasses of champagne; I’m saying you could for the same number of calories as a mug of spiked eggnog.
But even one or two flutes of those tiny bubbles makes a gathering feel like a real celebration.
¾ cup mini pretzel twists vs. 3 cups popcorn - 110 calories
Popcorn is not just a fun party food but also a whole grain, and it is voluminous, so the portion size is bountiful.
The equivalent in pretzels is skimpy by comparison.
For more great advise go to: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20161218/entlife/161219235/
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