The holidays are here! That means it’s time for wonderful festivities with family and friends – and wonderful holiday meals as well.
As yummy as your holiday snacks will be, many of them can load you up with calories and carbs and sugars that can make maintaining a slim tummy and healthy sugar level awfully hard. But keeping track of your sugar levels is important, especially if you’re diabetic. Therefore, there are vital steps and things to remember when you are enjoying the holidays with those closest to you. You don’t have to be a Grinch, you can still enjoy Christmas! You just need to be extra careful and keep these food facts in mind as the holidays approach.
Shortbread Over Frosted Sugar Cookies
A buttery shortbread square has just 9 grams of carbs, which is 75% less than a frosted sugar cookie. Better still, go for the shortbread with almonds for a boost of protein and fiber.
Salsa Over Creamy Spinach Dip
Choose naturally low-carb salsa (just 4g per 14 cup) over mayo and sour cream-filled dip to add zip to your chip. In addition, each 14 cup, you’ll save 120 calories and 14 grams of fat.
Healthy Fresh Veggies Over Crackers
A pound of wheat crackers has the same amount of carbs as 212 cups of raw vegetables. You’ll also cut down on salt and fat, as well as get a vitamin and mineral boost.
Healthy Mixed Nuts Over Snack Mix
Instead of a snack mix containing cereal, dried fruit, and candy–which may have more than 24g carb every 12 cup–go for simple mixed nuts. Nuts are high in protein, fiber, and heart-healthy fats, with just 7 grams of carbohydrates per ounce.
Lemon Sparkler Over Soda
A 12-ounce can of soda has 40 grams of carbohydrates, all of which come from sugar. That’s almost three tablespoons! Instead, combine 4 ounces fresh lemonade with 8 ounces sparkling water to make a drink that is two-thirds lower in carbohydrates and sugar. Serve with a lemon slice as a garnish.
Holiday Pumpkin Pie Over Pecan
Corn syrup and brown sugar raise the sugar content of pecan pie. Instead, save 10 grams of carbs by eating a piece of pumpkin pie. Slowly chew it and relish just a few nibbles.
Dark Chocolate Over Brownies
A single ounce of dark chocolate has half the carbs of a sugary brownie. Dark chocolate contains flavonoids, which may have heart-healthy properties.
Turkey Over Glazed Ham
In comparison to a glazed ham, which may typically have more than 7g carbohydrates and more than 800mg sodium, a well cooked turkey may include just 2g carbs and roughly 300mg sodium. Turkey is a bit more adaptable than ham, and it gives you a lot of leftover possibilities.
Wild Rice Stuffing Over Bread Stuffing
Depending on the recipe, substituting rice for bread may save you more than 20 grams of carbohydrates and more than 100 milligrams of salt. Hot cooked wild rice is nutty and aromatic, making it an excellent complement to fresh spices.