Beware of the “fattening” fall foods!

November 13th, 2007

Fall is the perfect time to indulge in healthy, hearty favorites, but beware because the calories can add up quickly!  This doesn’t mean you have to completely deprive yourself of all of your holiday favorites, but you may need to make a few simple changes to them.  Fall brings healthy foods such as apples to sweet potatoes, but we always have the ability to mask their nutritional value with rich additions.  From Halloween to Football Season and Oktoberfest to Holiday Parties, you may find yourself eating and drinking for hours at a time, with a decrease in physical activity.  Here is a list of a few fall favorites that can help add the pounds during this Holiday Season: 

Halloween Candy - Not only are the treat bowls running over after Halloween night, but weeks before this fright night, bowls of candy are showing up everywhere.  To avoid overeating, keep sweets out of sight and be prepared for afternoon cravings with something nutritious.
Cream Soups and Hearty Stews- These soups are the perfect comfort for cold weather, but be careful because many of these creamy stews come with a high calorie count. 
Root Vegetables- While these vegetables can come packed with many vitamins and nutrients, they can almost quadruple in calories when creamed, fried or mixed with cheese, cream, butter, bacon, and other high calorie toppings.  A sweet potato, normally around 100 calories, can have as many as 500 calories when made into a casserole!
Seasonal Beverages- When the weather gets cold, a pumpkin spice or eggnog latte seems to hit the spot.  However, before you start racing to the nearest Starbucks, know these drinks pack a lot of extra calories.  If you make it through the season without your holiday brew, try using skim milk and passing on the whipped cream topping!
Apple, Pecan and Sweet Potato Pies - Just as with the root vegetables, these holiday pie ingredients start off nutritious but add in high-calorie pie crusts and fillings and the calorie count is through the roof!  Enjoy your favorite holiday dessert, but remember moderation is key!

The Holidays are meant to be enjoyed with friends, family and food.  Follow these tips to indulge this fall season without the extra calories:

• Enjoy Autumn harvest simply prepared, without extra fats and sugars.  A roasted sweet potato is delicious enough without the additional toppings.
• Get moving.  Stay active despite the cold weather!  Try to get in your 10,000 steps daily.
• Don’t keep tempting treats in sight.  Keep the candy bowls and cookie jars out of reach.
• Be aware of the amount of food you are eating.  Keep in mind your portions.  It is easy during a buffet served dinner to lose track of portions. 

Source: Webmd.com

Entry Filed under: Healthy Lifestyle Research, Weight Loss, Making Choices