Counting calories? The worst holiday drinks

Email this| Posted Nov 20th 2008 6:00PM by Martha Edwards

Filed under: Food + Libations, Diet + Fitness

The holidays are a time to celebrate, and that usually involves the consumption of at least moderate amounts of alcohol. And for some reason, all the holiday-specific drinks seem to be as rich and creamy and you can possibly get -- maybe it's down to some unconscious desire to fatten up for the winter?

Anyway, the reason isn't important -- the point is, if you're really committed to shedding a few pounds, diets don't take a vacation just because it's Christmas. If you're counting calories, here are some diet disasters worth avoiding (or at least cutting down on) this holiday season:

[Source]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Beth 11-15-2008 @ 7:35AM

There are a ridiculous amount of calories in eggnog. It is so not worth in it! I personally rather have a little more to eat and not waste all those calories on one drink. I do love to have cocktails when I go out and somehow a wine spritzer just does not cut it. What I usually order is a stoli vanilla and club soda. It has a nice taste, you get a buzz and you don't waste a gazillion calories on sugar. Lots of bang for your buck. I have been trying to make a skinny margarita with just tequila and lime juice, but so far I have not come up with a good combo.

I was obese as a kid and I won't let i happen again. I strive to eat healthy and lead by example for my daughters. I eat flax every morning for health and weight loss reasons. I have the same breakfast now every day. I recently lost 30 pounds following the weight watchers program http://www.weightwatchers.com and I now just am more watchful every day of what I eat. I have a banana low fat yogurt with golden roasted flax for breakfast every day. It is filling, keeps me regular and tastes fabulous (kinda like sesame seeds). My Weight Watchers leader recommended fitflax to me and it definitely helped the last 10 pounds to melt off. It is low carb and low cal. It is a flax and chia blend and I think I read about it in O mag. They also listed a code to get 10% off. The site is http://www.fitflax.com and the code for 10% off is
HAPPY10

Dennis 12-04-2008 @ 2:32PM

To me, it is not the Holiday Season without some GOOD Egg Nog! As with everything, it is MODERATION. I do not sit down and chug a quart, nor do I make it my every occasion drink. It has to be RICH and THICK.... There are some commercial brands that are good, and fit the bill--- but, If you have the time, and want something REALLY SPECIAL---- make a batch yourself!!! That ADDS to the Holiday Aura! By the way, I like mine just as well virgin as I do spiked!
Happy Holidays Everyone !!

Lily 11-15-2008 @ 7:51AM

I agree with Beth, forget about the calories in egg nog, it is loaded with fat..but soo good. I will have maybe three over the holiday season, but then my go to drink is a rum and diet coke with a good solid squeeze of lime.

I actually just bought fitflax. I read about it previously in prevention magazine. I had also previously bought a pair of anti-cellulite insoles on that same site which were FANTASTIC. http://www.fitflax.com I did see both on Amazon also though. You throw them in your sneakers and due to their construction, you burn more calories with every step. I know no matter what my best intentions are that I eat too much during the holiday season. There are so many goodies in my office it is hard to say no all the time, so I try to get in more exercise to compensate for eating too much. My goal is just to hold my own this time of year and not gain.

G.L. 11-23-2008 @ 6:40AM

Brad, you're a no life having, dork-brained idot, attempting to peddle a virus. Grow up and get a life you little sewage virus.

Jeff 11-23-2008 @ 1:06PM

Diet be damned! With as few holidays we have that are centered around family and food, I'm not counting anything but options! I'd much rather have a good and unemcumbered time than sit and list all of what I ate and count points later. Enjoy life.

jerry 11-23-2008 @ 1:07PM

For the best drink recipies go to FrozenMartinis.com
over 1,000 of them

pearlpoppr 11-23-2008 @ 1:10PM

Wow, those all look good, but I agree, eggnog, even the low fat version is still high in calories ! I actually bought some, had 1/2 a cup and thought the same thing, I would rather save those calories on Food :) congrats to you beth on losing 30 lbs ;) That is wonderful. I am dealing with my last 20 after losing over 130 lbs and I tell you, the last 20 is harder than the first 130 ! I am going to check out the fitflax. I know that I cannot have flax seed due to an upcoming hand surgery next month ( which I didn't know I couldn't have it until just yesterday ) I also used a website
http://www.healthy-diet-news.com I like it and have found lots of great reviews and information on that site. I will have to go and check it out and see if they list the fitflax there and read more about it ;) Good luck on your weight loss journey :) Looks like you are doing great ;)

ameslands 11-23-2008 @ 2:21PM

Moderation, moderation, moderation. Just watch what you eat. Having been a fat @#$, I know that eating just about anything in moderation is okay. It comes down to knowing when to stop. It is much easier to eat just a small portion of something than to try and lose the weight from overindulging. I know what it's like to try and lose weight. I lost 47 pounds in 6 weeks using the Rapidthin diet at www.rapidthin.com. Good luck to all. Use what works for you.

nick 11-23-2008 @ 8:31PM

ummm.....eggnog!

addabeach 12-03-2008 @ 4:27PM

krey 12-03-2008 @ 8:04PM

skinny margi.
one can la Crois sparkling water
one shot tequila
juice from two limes
two packs splenda

wiseguy 12-04-2008 @ 9:12AM

If you work out regularly and otherwise eat healthy, you don't have to worry about a cup of eggnog now and then.

pearlpoppr 12-04-2008 @ 10:04AM

sk 12-04-2008 @ 12:37PM

Beth 11-15-2008 @ 7:35AM
What I usually order is a stoli vanilla and club soda. It has a nice taste, you get a buzz and you don't waste a gazillion calories on sugar.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but distilled spirits are almost ALL sugar, hon.
Triglycerides. So, you're using your calories on sugar. You're just dumping it into your heart and liver.