"50 Holiday Foods You Shouldn't Eat" Review
Introduction
Hmmmmmm......so are your favorite holiday foods on this list? Most likely...and I'm guilty, too! While I don't think you or my personal training clients will avoid these yummy, devilish foods, you should know why you may want to limit your bites. Here's my top list from the article "50 Holiday Foods You Shouldn't Eat".
1. SWEDISH MEATBALLS
This tempting classic may seem harmless. Still, lurking within each ball can be at least 400 calories of white bread, butter, heavy cream, and sodium-laden beef broth.2. EGGNOG
Step…away…from the eggnog. With ingredients like sugar, eggs, whipping cream, and bourbon, this is a nutritional bullet smart revelers will dodge. One cup has 343 calories, 150 milligrams of cholesterol, half of the USDA's suggested daily limit, and 21 grams of sugar, almost a day's worth. Instead, enjoy spiced cider.3. STUFFED POTATOES
Baked potatoes are rich in vitamin C and fiber, but add in cheese, sour cream, and butter, and you've negated most of the health benefits. One medium stuffed potato has 316 calories and 8.25 grams of saturated fat. That's almost half of your suggested daily upper limit of saturated fat.4. POT ROAST
Even the trimmed, lean version of this popular holiday meat contains 7 grams of saturated fat. One 3-ounce serving of traditional beef pot roast has 280 calories and 20 grams of total fat. But think about how many ounces you're actually adding to your plate, plus the calories from gravy.5. FRUITCAKE
Don't let the name deceive you. Though this sweet treat contains fruit, it can also have plenty of butter, sugar, and corn syrup. One slice we tried clocks in at 410 calories and 13 grams of fat.6. PECAN PIE
On their own pecans are a high-cal nut, but combine them with sugar, butter, and corn syrup, and you've got a potentially deadly dessert. A single slice will cost you more than 500 calories, 37 grams of fat, and 26 grams of sugar.7. CRANBERRY SAUCE
Cranberries are a great source of vitamin E, K, and C, and dietary fiber. Still, pay close attention at the dinner table during the holidays. Typical canned cranberry sauce has 105 grams of sugar per serving, over four times the amount the AHA recommends per day for women. It also adds over 400 calories to your plate.8. PRIME RIB
Prime rib is a beloved cut of beef, especially during the holidays. Still, it happens to come from the fattest part of the cow. One piece of prime rib can house up to 750 calories and 45 grams of fat, without the added sauce or seasoning! Plus, 8 ounces has 450 milligrams of cholesterol, 100 mg more than the USDA recommends for men and women to consume per day.9. GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE WITH FRIED ONIONS
Green beans are a hearty vegetable, boasting dietary fiber and vitamins A and C. Still, this casserole is far from wholesome. Butter, cheese, salt, and fried onions take away from the health perks of the beans. One full batch has 785 calories and 4,128 milligrams of sodium. You probably won't take the entire dish for yourself, but it's still important to watch your portion size.10. CROISSANTS
They are so light and fluffy we think croissants are low in fat and calories— -- perfect for a holiday brunch! But what makes them so mouth-watering? Sugar, salt, and butter between each and every layer of flour dough. A butter croissant from Starbucks has 310 calories and 18 grams of total fat. This pastry isn't as bad as a box of donuts, but it has almost no nutritional value.11. PEPPERMINT WHITE CHOCOLATE MOCHA
A Grande (16 oz.) serving of this seductive Starbucks beverage has 540 calories. And that's with only 2% milk! The white-chocolate- and peppermint-flavored syrups, whipped cream, and dark chocolate make up 76 grams of sugar, three times the amount of added sugar the American Heart Association suggests per day.12. GINGERBREAD
Gingerbread people and houses may look inviting with their smiles made of frosting and gumdrop decor, but don't be fooled! They're packing plenty of calories. Gingerbread cake is even worse, with large quantities of buttermilk, flour, and sugar. One small piece of cake has 260 calories, 36 carbs, and 12 grams of fat.13. SUGAR COOKIES
Santa's health may be in jeopardy if you feed him too many sugar cookies this Christmas. The classic recipe is pretty simple, but the amount of all-purpose flour, butter, and egg used is unnecessary. An average cookie can contain over 200 calories and 14 grams of sugar.14. EEF WELLINGTON
Beef tenderloin can supply a lean serving of protein to your plate, but add port wine syrup and puff pastry and you've got a recipe for diet disaster. One recipe says that a serving hosts 744 calories and 57 grams of fat. The rich entree also has 130 milligrams of cholesterol, about half of your upper limit for the whole day.15. GLAZED HAM
Just 6 ounces contains 1,760 milligrams of sodium and 6 grams of sugar. This might not seem outrageous, but think about how many slices of ham you fork onto your plate. The numbers add up!16. CINNAMON ROLLS
A classic roll has 730 calories! And a Pecanbon roll has 1,100! With 25 grams of fat, this breakfast wastes almost half of your USDA-allotted daily calories and fat without any nutritional benefit.17. TRUFFLES
These rich chocolates look too cute to eat, and their caloric value is another reason not to: One plain chocolate truffle can clock in at around 100 calories (almost half from saturated fat), not counting assorted fillings such as peanut butter, cheesecake, or cookie dough.18. PEANUT BRITTLE
Nuts by themselves can be heart-healthy, but these shards of hardened corn syrup, sugar, and butter are not. It varies by brand, but one piece typically contains about 150 calories (about as much as an ice cream sandwich, and about 5 grams of fat. And let's be honest, who can stop at just one piece of peanut brittle?19. DUNKIN DONUTS' GINGERBREAD LATTE
A medium 16-ounce gingerbread latte from Dunkin' Donuts weighs in at 330 liquid calories, with 9 grams of fat and 51 grams of sugar (almost 13 teaspoons!). For the same calorie count, you could treat yourself to six cocoa-glazed Munchkins and a medium latte lite.20. CHEESE BALLS
Traditionally made by blending together cream cheese, grated cheese, and spices, an entire ball can contain more than 500 calories. They can deliver more than half of your recommended intake of cholesterol and almost a day's worth of total fat.21. ROYAL DANSK DANISH BUTTER COOKIES
The main ingredient of these cookies is, of course, butter. Four cookies add up to 170 calories and one-quarter of your daily intake of saturated fats. You're better off baking your own.
Picture Credit:
Brent Hofacker-How will this Egg Nog infiltrate your weight loss goals?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: MICHAEL MOODY, PERSONAL TRAINER
As an author, a personal trainer in Denver, and podcast host, Michael Moody has helped personal training clients achieve new fitness heights and incredible weight loss transformations since 2005. He also produces the wellness podcast "The Elements of Being" and has been featured on NBC, WGN Radio, and PBS.
Michael offers personal training to Denver residents who want to meet at the 2460 W 26th Ave studio….or in their homes throughout LoHi (80206), LoDo (80202), RiNo (80216), Washington Park (80209), Cherry Creek (80206, 80209, 80243, 80246, 80231), and Highlands (80202, 80211, 80212). Michael also offers experiences with a personal trainer in Jefferson Park (80211) and Sloan's Lake (80204, 80212).
If you’re looking for a personal trainer who can curate a sustainable (and adaptable) routine based on your needs and wants, Michael is the experienced practitioner you’ve been looking for. Try personal training for a month…your body will thank you!
