How to count calories and dine responsibly during the holidays.
By: Dan Welden
Everyone loves holiday foods, but feasting blindly will only make you pack on those dreaded holiday pounds. It may seem like a total Grinch-like buzzkill, but an online calorie calculator like calorieking.com can help you keep track of your caloric intake all season long.
Keep in mind, of course, that calorie counts are approximations because recipes can vary widely—especially if you cook like my grandma, who loves butter! But at least you’ll get a rough idea of how many calories are in each serving—and how much you’ll need to burn off when you finally come out of your food coma.
No one expects you to eat chia seeds and kale this time of year, but you can enjoy every festive forkful while still keeping that waistline in check. When it comes to holiday feasting, light meat turkey is better than dark, and try to avoid helpings with large amounts of fat and skin. Don’t go crazy with the gravy, which pours on the extra calories. Also, stuffing is deadly, so if you’re saving room for pie, skip the extra carbs with your bird. As for those pies, pumpkin’s usually your best bet—as long as it’s not covered with whipped cream.
Just because it’s the holiday season doesn’t mean it’s OK to eat like it’s your last meal. Just practice portion control and don’t go back for seconds and thirds. There will always be more munchies to tempt you, and your mid-section will pay the price. Family meals aside, holiday parties are also a recipe for disastrous weight gain.
Remember: It may be the time of year to indulge, but moderation is key. Eat responsibly!
TURKEY
Dark meat, with skin (4 ounces) = 206 calories
Dark meat, without skin (4 ounces) = 183 calories
White meat, with skin (4 ounces) = 185 calories
White meat, without skin (4 ounces) = 158 calories
PORK
Cured ham (4 ounces) = 177–275 calories
Pork tenderloin (4 ounces) = 185–195 calories
SIDES
Sweetened cranberry sauce, canned (1/2 cup) = 209 calories
Bread stuffing, dry mix, prepared (1 cup) = 356 calories
Dinner roll (1 roll) = 78 calories
Garlic toast (1 slice) = 160 calories
Gravy, average, all varieties (1/2 cup) = 43 calories
Mashed potatoes (1 cup) = 237 calories
Green bean casserole (1 cup) = 166 calories
PIE BY THE SLICE
Apple pie = 411 calories
Cherry pie = 486 calories
Pecan pie = 503 calories
Pumpkin pie = 316 calories
WINE BY THE GLASS
Red wine = 126 calories
White wine = 121 calories