19 Foods to Avoid for a Healthy, Happy Holiday

Cheesecake

Eggnog

Thick, delicious and imbued with the flavors of the season, eggnog is a meal in a glass in terms of fat, with nearly 400 calories per serving. Pick up a glass of spiced tea instead.

Panettone

A rather small slice of panettone has nearly 200 calories and 25 grams of carbs. And the loaves tend to be so big that you'll probably eat more than one slice.

Candied Sweet Potatoes

Candied sweet potatoes really belong with the desserts. With all that butter, brown sugar or maple syrup, and those sweet, toasty marshmallows, the calories and carbs in this one are best left on the buffet table.

Fruitcake

Fruitcake is dense, dark and filled with old-fashioned flavors, which aren't as popular as they once were. It's also pretty heavy on the calories. So, unless you can't go a holiday without one, skip it.

Gingerbread

Deep, spicy gingerbread with a sweet cream cheese frosting just screams "winter holidays." What it's not telling you, though, is how much sugar, fat and carbs are in each addictive slice. At nearly 300 calories for a single serving, with 37 grams of carbs, and the fact that you won't stop at one slice, consider skipping it altogether this year.

Glazed Ham

Rich, fatty with a crunchy, sugary crust, glazed hams are a popular Christmas dinner main dish. But that glaze and the fat ring come at a calorie cost. If you're looking to reduce this year, lean turkey breast is the better option.