LMQC Nutritionist blogger, Jeni Tackett, helps you avoid packing on the extra pounds this holiday season by providing some healthy alternatives.

by Nutritionist Blogger, Jeni Tackett, RD, LD

If you go to a few holiday parties and graze on the typical fare – or even just snack on the extra holiday treats at work – it will be easy to expand your waistline, just like good old St. Nick!

How?

Since an extra 100 calories per day = 1 pound of weight gain per month, it’s easy.

Grazing at the snack table every day will do the trick. Look how many calories are in our favorite holiday snacks:

• 3 Hershey’s Kisses 75 calories
• 5 Lay’s potato chips 40 calories
• 1 handful of caramel popcorn 75 calories
• 2 cubes of cheese 120 calories
• 4 Ritz crackers 60 calories
• 1 bite of fudge 55 calories
• 1 fun-sized Snickers bar 70 calories
• 1 handful of peanuts 120 calories

Keep off the holiday weight by eating smart

Don’t want to put on that extra pound? Try these tips for keeping calorie count down:

• Be aware of what you eat
• Have just one piece of chocolate
• Do not graze all day
• Drink plenty of water
• Make a plan for each day
• Don’t bring treats home
• Keep food journal
• Eat from a plate or bowl—not from a bag or box of food

When you think about every bite you put in your mouth, it will become easier to avoid mindless holiday eating … and to looking like good old St. Nick.

You can do it!