Naughty or Nice

The holidays are here, the parties can't be far behind.  At this year's festivities don't show up starving, don't forget your healthy eating habits and don't circle the food table all night. At your next party enjoy your friends more than the food and use the following Naughty & Nice list to help you make better choices:Naughty (Not this . . .)

• Fancy Finger Foods are those tiny bites circulated on trays during the evening. If you think they are too small to cause much damage – think again.  It's easy for the calories to add up as you grab a few each time they pass by. And these fancy appetizers are usually made with lots of high fat, high sodium ingredients.
• Cheese, Crackers & Dip are usually a high-calorie, high-fat snack that almost always leads to overeating.  It's just too easy to grab handfuls of crackers and keep dipping.
• Iced Cookies are high-calorie, high-fat, simple-sugar treats that can trigger cravings that may cause overeating.  Consider yourself warned and reach for a treat with a little more fiber and a lot less sugar.  If you can't resist, just have a little then lock up the cookie tin.
• Egg Nog is a concoction of heavy cream, eggs & sugar.  Just 1 cup can have more than 300 calories and nearly 20 grams of fat - adding alcohol increases the total even more!
• Cocktails can be high in calories, sugar & fat (depending on the mixers) & the alcohol content can leave you dehydrated and feeling less than your best the morning after.

Nice (Bite this . . .)

• Shrimp Cocktail is one of the best choices on the buffet table.  Shrimp is a great low fat protein source, and it even comes with a fat free sauce.
• Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Tray is a perfect addition to the buffet table.  Fill up on all your favorites for a low calorie, nutrient-dense snack.  Want to dress up your tray a bit, make a dip using fat-free plain or flavored Greek yogurt
• Nuts (or Spicy Nuts) are high in calories & fat but it’s those heart-healthy fats that we need.  Nuts are also high in protein & fiber making it much easier to control portions.
• Dark Chocolate with a high cocoa content provides a big dose of antioxidants with less sugar.
• Sparkling water is a calorie-free beverage that can help you stay hydrated and the bubbles make it festive.  You can always add a splash of red wine or fruit juice without blowing your calorie goal.