FitSugar

Holiday Fit Tip: Avoid the Egg Nog

FitSugar — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 11:45:00 PST

The holiday season is full of parties, and parties are full of various types of grog. Sugary fruit punches laced with rum and eggnog that should really just be called a saturated-fat bomb. One cup of eggnog contains over 11 g. of saturated fat, as well as 343 calories.

Here are two suggestions to try as alternative to those standard Winter party drinks.

Spritz it: Simply add seltzer water to your glass of wine. This works with any color of wine - red, white, or rosé. Not only does it cut your caloric intake in half, but it also helps you avoid the dreaded hangover.
Go bubbly: Champagne is actually rather low in calories. One serving of this sparkling wine contains 91 calories. To make the drink more festive, add a cranberry, strawberry, or raspberry for color.

If wine is not your thing, check out Vital Juice Daily's low-cal cocktail ideas.

Source

Breakdown of Eggnog Alternatives

FitSugar — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:46:52 PST

They may be loaded with cheer, but holiday drinks are also notoriously rich and calorie-heavy. Staples like eggnog are sure to show up at seasonal soirees, so it's helpful to do a little planning before you sip. One cup of eggnog contains about 350 calories along with 11 grams of saturated fat, but that doesn't stop 45 percent of FitSugar readers from enjoying it here and there. If you're looking for a wintry treat for a festive fete, you might try to serve or pack a lighter alternative like soy nog or rice nog. They both contain less fat and nearly half the calories of eggnog.

To see the full breakdown read more.

The Most Fattening Holiday Cocktails (and Their Healthy Alternatives)

Michele Foley — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 01:54:13 PST

I am kind of a sucker for holiday cocktails - warm, spicy, sweet, and creamy is kind of my thing. Unfortunately, all the spin classes in the world are not going to save me if I develop a daily eggnog habit this season. Luckily there's a healthy alternative to just about every holiday cocktail that normally spells disaster for a healthy diet. Keep reading to see which traditional holiday cocktails are the worst offenders and what their healthy counterparts are.

Trim Calories Off 3 Wintry, Hot Beverages

Heather Dale — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 01:16:39 PST

I've somehow managed to trick my brain into thinking that as long as I'm eating healthy, there's still room in my diet for hot, delicious beverages - especially at this time of year when a warm drink in your hands feels heavenly. But who am I kidding, most hot bevvies are full of sugar and calories. You don't need to give up on warm sippables, just try these calorie-cutting tricks on your favorite wintry drinks.

Prevent Holiday Party Weight Gain With 3 Must Dos

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:13:39 PST

Everyone's approach to beating holiday weight gain differs. Some amp up the exercise time, while others simply give in to the extra noshing and stick to clothing with elastic waistbands. Regardless of your philosophy, the abundance of holiday parties, full of rich foods and fancy cocktails, is a major reason the numbers on the scale often go up. Keep these three tips in mind at your next shindig, and hopefully you can prevent your waistline from expanding this season.

Don't Show Up Famished or Empty Handed
Before heading out the door, snack on something filling like a banana with peanut butter, a pear with some almonds, or some whole grain crackers with hummus. Combining fiber and protein in a sack is satiating, so you won't arrive famished and end up making a meal out of appetizers. To show your hosts some appreciation for throwing the party, it's nice to bring along a present; but instead of the usual bottle of wine, prepare a healthy dish or dessert to complement the meal. Not only will party-goers appreciate the gesture, but you'll know at least one thing on your plate is good for you. This chard, avocado, and asparagus quinoa makes a great side dish, and a batch of healthier holiday cookies are often a nice addition as well.

Continue reading for two more tips to help prevent holiday party weight gain.

A Lighter Holiday Cocktail: Mulled Cider With Calvados

Michele Foley — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 05:50:41 PST

It's starting to get chilly out there! Over the holidays, warm drinks and cocktails like eggnog, Tom and Jerrys, and hot buttered rum are in abundance. The problem is that these drinks are stacked with sugar and saturated fat.

Spiked mulled cider is a great alternative to these holiday favorites. Hot cider is satisfying on a cold Winter's night, and its spices are reminiscent of the season. I love that the sweetness of the drink comes from using all-natural apple cider and just a hint of brown sugar. And unlike most warm holiday cocktails, there's not a single gram of fat in the recipe.

To see the recipe after the break!

How to Pay Off Your Holiday Debt

LearnVest — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 00:15:37 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

The winter holidays have dissolved into nostalgic memories, and we haven’t had an eggnog latte in over a month. But at least one full credit card cycle after New Year’s, some of us are still carrying holiday credit card debt. It’s no fun looking forward to spring while carrying this weight, and it puts a damper on any summer travel savings plans. So here’s our plan of attack for tackling that holiday credit card debt:

1. Negotiate Your APR.

Credit card companies will budge if only you ask. Before calling, research the competition and all of your options with a resource like Billshrink, a site that quickly surveys your bill options for better rates. Call the company of your highest-interest credit card and tell the rep that you want to lower your APR by 5%. Remind the rep how long you’ve been a customer and that you’d rather not switch credit cards, but you’d like this one to move some things around in your favor.

Take notes during your conversation, including the rep’s name; if the first rep can’t help you, ask for the customer cancellation department, which often has more power to make a deal with you. Even if your rate is only lowered by 1% or 2%, every little bit helps. If they can’t lower your APR, ask if there are any low or zero percent balance transfer deals, and shift balances to that card, keeping in mind the expiration date for those low rates.

Keep reading for more tips for melting your holiday debt.