Holiday treats and the calories they gift you

      Holiday season is in full swing and by now, many people may have already packed on a few extra pounds to keep warm this winter!  For those who are satisfied with their winter padding or to those who are trying to shed their festive fluff, I’ve prepared a few simple charts to help when you’re faced with a decision over what holiday treat to choose.

It’s easy to assume that much of the edible temptations that arise from October to January are going to come loaded with extra calories, sugar, and fat.  However, not everything is measures up equally!  As you’ll see, when craving a sweet drink to sip while gazing out the window on your winter morning, reach for the  hot apple cider!  Compared to hot cocoa, you can save yourself a decent amount of calories AND sugar!  Peppermint treats like those tasty little dinner mints you’ll find me hovering over at a party only have 21 calories per 7 mints and NO fat.  Candy canes are also a no-fat and low calorie source of sweetness, plus they take a while to eat so maybe by the time you’re done, you’ll be able to resist the other temptations!

holidaycandy

holidaycookies holidaydrinks random holiday snacks

I was pretty upset to see how many calories are in those delicious Lindor truffles but at least the holiday popcorn tins don’t come with TOO many calories!  I can just eat 1 and 1/4th a cup… sure!  It’s also interesting to see how the different crackers add up, Triscuts have the most calories but they also have the most fat, fiber and protein! I’ve always called that the “healthy cracker” because of the shredded wheat but the stats don’t like.  Is the higher calorie and fat number worth the extra protein and fiber?

What kind of holiday treats do you find yourself craving during the winter season?

Have a lovely winter Wednesday and special thanks to Trent for helping me come up with all these holiday treats!

AprilSignatur

Tis the season to be chubby, fa la la la la la la la la la la….

Hello Double Chinners! After last week’s tremendous loss, I struggled this week. Here’s why:

Amazing sugar cookies from my friend!

It wasn’t JUST the cookies, of course. It was spiced Morroccan lemon chicken, with a salty, creamy gravy, dotted with whole kalamata olives. It was a pile of soft, fluffy couscous, draped with thin slices of lamb. It was a steaming bowl of ramen soup, laden with piles of udon and half an egg. It was a breakfast quiche, served as we cruised the Marina at Matt’s annual work Christmas brunch, topped with brown cheese and freshly chopped spring onions. It was all of these things.

I’m feeling a little… chubby. But, my jeans still fit and my brain is still in the right place, after a temporary “whoops” of a weekend. It’s so tempting to just be like “Eff my diet! It’s the HOLIDAYS! EAT ALL THE THINGS!” but I know if I do that, every pound I’ve cried and obsessed over this year will come back to me… because there is nothing my fat loves more than to be with me. My fat and I have the worst co-dependent relationship in the world. It’s like that clingy boyfriend you never really got rid of in highschool, whom you dumped years ago but still “pokes” you on Facebook. I totally just want to be like, “It’s Christmas! Nom nom nom nom! Who needs pants that button anyways?” (Especially now that I work from home and a fancy getup for me involves gnome pajamas.) But, I can’t. I must stay strong. Fat and I don’t need to be attached at the hip.

Anyone else struggle to stay on track when the holidays roll around? What was your breaking point this year, if you had one? If you haven’t yet, how are you staying strong?