The holidays are upon us, and so is the feeling of wellbeing and spirit that they entail.
One of our favorite parts of the holidays is the feasting that accompanies all this cheer. Turkeys, ducks, pies, candy canes, the works. It wouldn’t be the holidays if it weren’t for the full bellies and the tastes of the winter season.
However, overcome by the spirit of the season, many people (ourselves included) can sometimes overdo it with the holiday food. In fact, studies have shown that you have a greater chance of having a heart attack or other serious health problem during the holidays, a phenomenon connected with overeating and increased alcohol consumption.
To help orient you a bit, we are detailing a list of some of the worst offenders, which while delicious, can also wreak havoc on our systems for a number of reasons. Let’s take a look!
Stuffing
Stuffing is a perennial and delicious holiday favorite. However, when made inside a turkey or chicken, it is a sponge for fat. Not to mention it is a super-high carb food and doesn’t have much as nutritional value as other alternatives. It is delicious though!
Candy Canes
It wouldn’t be the holidays without candy canes on the tree and in your pocket. However, these are one of the worst holiday foods for a few reasons. Firstly, candy canes are virtually pure sugar, and as such, provide empty calories. Secondly, they are the number one enemy of healthy teeth. The fact that they are all sugar plus their acidity ruins your enamel and promotes cavities.
The same can be applied to other holiday candies and sweets. If you have to have something sweet, try some dark chocolate. (70% or higher).
Pies
Another Christmas and holiday classic, pies are loaded with fat and sugar. So don’t fool yourself, eating a pecan pie or an apple pie is nowhere near the same as eating a pecans and apples on their own! Wishful thinking…
Eggnog
We don’t understand why, but this spiced calorie bomb made with sugar or high fructose corn syrup, heavy cream, and eggs is devastating in many ways. A single serving can have 400 calories and 20 grams, about the same as eating two glazed and sugary donuts. Not to mention it’s made with raw eggs, which are a bacterial hazard, and is often mixed with the next one on the list: alcohol, for that extra unhealthy touch.
Alcohol
Often, because of the holidays, we let the cheer get the best of us and we give in to the temptation of having a drink (or four) with family and friends. At other times, people pick up the “holiday bottle” to make spending time with family easier, perhaps due to buried issues in family life.
Now matter why people drink over the holidays, moderation is the key. Drinking socially for fun might have consequences if you need to drive somewhere afterward, not to mention the physical effects of drinking too much.
Also, if you have to drink just to be around your family, there might be issues going on that you want to talk about rather than drowning them in spiked eggnog.
