Winter Foods that Make You Fat

Winter is the time we want to stuff ourselves silly, but most of us don't want the expansion in our waistline to show for it. While everything seems so delicious, and certainly fattening, what are the worst culprits? Learn the most fattening winter foods, and what you can do to enjoy them without going overboard. This can help you stay on track of your diet while still having full satisfaction come Thanksgiving and Christmas, and even on those cold winter days in general. And, guess what? You can still have your turkey and ham! Yay!

Stuffing is a dieter's worst nightmare. All that salt, breads, and drippings to create that luscious flavor that stuffing is known for don't do it any favors. This favored side dish is unfortunately among the most fattening of them all, but what is Thanksgiving or even Christmas without stuffing? The best way to enjoy your stuffing without stuffing yourself on top of it is to enjoy stuffing without a topping of gravy. Also, if you are making your own stuffing, use a vegetable broth to season it and use real butter rather than the artificial stuff since the flavor will be stronger and the fats healthier. You can also add healthy items to your stuffing, like tripling up on celery, as well to ensure that the stuffing you are eating is full of healthier (and less calorie-ridden) nutrition.

You'd think that it would be the mashed potatoes and gravy that would be the giant no-no, but it's another potato that is on the chopping block. Sweet potatoes on their own are a healthy alternative to regular potatoes, but sweet potato casseroles are typically so laden with butter and sugar that a single serving can be upwards of 500 calories! You're better off ladling the potatoes and gravy in this case and having a bite or 2 of this sweet treat. Or, skip the marshmallows and have a sweet baked potato sliced up as a delightful side dish instead.

Cream-based soups can be a real nightmare, but boy, are they good! A common misconception is that soup of all kinds is good for you, and this is true- to a point. Cream-based soups are full of cream, cheese, and butter, which equals tons of fat in your bowl! If opting for a cream soup to make you feel oh-so-cozy in winter, skip the cheese, and absolutely skip the bread bowl or roll to dip in the soup. Have a cup of soup rather than a bowl, and you won't be fattening yourself up but will still feel full. Or, here's a trick- fill a bowl halfway with soup and add a few ounces of hot water to your soup- this fills your bowl so you can have a whole bowl of soup without the extra calories. The flavor will be amazing and it will feel like you had even more soup than you did without the calories.

You can have pie, but watch out- apple pie, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, and sweet potato pie (my fave) happen to be super full of sugar and fats to make them taste wonderful. You're better off with the banana cream or even the chocolate pies in this case. The solution? Get a cup of coffee and enjoy a small sliver (half the size of a normal slice) and skip the whipped cream and even the crust. Or, eat the less sugary pudding-based pies and enjoy more than just a bite.

Fattening winter treats aren't just limited to foods, either. Watch what you drink this time of year as well. Eggnog, which is a Fall favorite, along with caramel apple ciders, can be upwards of 400 calories a single cup! Yikes! If drinking eggnog, pour half a glass and fill the rest of the glass with low-fat milk so you can still enjoy this fall favorite, and stick to apple cider with a splash of cinnamon or a cinnamon stick to get your fill without adding on the calories. Or, have a cup of coffee with a low-fat eggnog creamer and enjoy a cup or 2 or 3 yourself without the guilt. And easy on that alcohol- all those calories will make you look like Santa in no time!

Source:

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/9-frighteningly-fattening-fall-foods?page=2