Cutting Calories at Christmas Parties
Nobody wants to have to worry about putting on extra pounds during the holidays when there are so many 
good things to think about! If the thought of a Christmas party at the office or at a family gathering has you fretting over your waistline, then read on for some ways to cut calories at your Christmas bashes, instead of cutting fun!
Drinks
Many people think only about the fattening side of food at the holidays and forget the role that liquid calories play. Many Christmas concoctions taste great but can increase your caloric intake considerably.
To keep the extra calories at bay, avoid high calories and sugary items that are mixed. Some of the worst offenders are hard to resist but try your best. These include Crème de Menthe, Grand Marnier and Triple Sec.
Cosmopolitans taste great but three ounces of this drink will cause you to consume 179 calories. On the other hand if you indulged in a six ounce mimosa you would be treated to only 105 calories. Another example- reach for mineral water or spiced tea with a touch of rum instead of the festive drink that defines the season- eggnog. A half cup serving of eggnog will provide you with 186 calories you don’t need.
Food
‘Tis the season to be merry, and merry often includes indulging in foods you might not partake of on a regular basis. To avoid taking in too many calories at a social occasion, never arrive on an empty stomach or you will overeat for sure. Eat a healthy snack before you arrive.
Choose snacks that are low in fat such as fruit, fat free biscuits, pretzels, and rice crackers. If you must dip, then choose a low fat dip that is delicious such as ricotta cheese mixed with a sweet chili sauce.
Often it is the sauces and dips that can get you into trouble. For example, many Christmas parties are not complete without the addition of shrimp. Shrimp on its own is low in fat, but when you add dipping sauce the calories begin to climb! A word to the wise about shrimp- while its fat content may be low, it is high in cholesterol.
If you are making cookies to take to a bash, make small sized cookies to reduce calories. Choose substitutes for sugar and eggs that can reduce both the fat content and the number of calories.
