Skinny Holiday Drinks

The holidays are upon us. Unfortunately, for waistlines this is one of the most food—and drink—centered times of the year. Everyone has his or her theory on avoiding calorie packed holiday foods, but drinks often fly under the radar. Your level of fitness in the spring all starts with what you did in the winter. Making the wrong selections now could result in a close relationship with you and an elliptical come February. Follow these tips to make sure your holiday cheer doesn’t turn into a festive failure.

Beer

Samuel Adams Holiday Porter is the fattest beer. This dark brew boasts 211 calories and 13 grams of carbs. For a healthier option, pop open Sam Adams Light. It has 92 fewer calories.

Wine

A glass of wine is normally a very safe bet. Calorie count doesn’t greatly differ between wines. However, mulled wines are especially popular in the winter. When wine is “mulled” it is heated and sugar is added. This brings your average glass of mulled wine to around 265 calories and 30 grams of sugar. Champagne is comparatively light in calories. The average glass of champagne has 130 calories and 5 grams of sugar.

The Worst Holiday Coffee

In general, the holiday-themed selections at coffee house chains should be completely avoided. They are the most sugar and fat packed drinks available. Instead, create your own version. These coffee house drinks have tons of options available. Feel free to add a few shots of a seasonal syrup flavor. Use skim milk and skip the whip.

Starbucks Venti Peppermint White Mocha is the worst with 660 calories, 22 grams of fat (14 grams of saturated fat) and 95 grams of sugar. The Peppermint Café Au Lait is the best with 210 calories and 8 grams of fat.

The Worst Traditional Drink

Of the traditional drinks, Egg Nog is the worst. This cheerful cocktail is made from heavy cream, egg yolks and sugar. The average glass of Egg Nog packs about 350 calories and 16 g fat. It’s no wonder that Santa shakes like a bowl full of jelly. Hot chocolate is your lowest calorie drink option. Most hot chocolates weigh in at 120 calories a glass with just 4 grams of fat.

danielle056

Danielle, who blogs on behalf of Sears and other prestigious brands, is a craft-beer lover and White Russian connoisseur. She enjoys trying new things on a regular basis in both her adult beverage choices and life in general. Read her musings on cooking, travel, and more at http://www.cooksandtravelbooks.com.