Beware of Holiday Beverages

Think your drink! We always talk about the calories in holiday foods, but what about the beverages we consume? Sometimes there may be more calories in the beverages than the food. 

Beverages can range from zero (0) calories to a whooping 550 or more. Let's take a look.

A favorite holiday drink from Starbucks, the Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha (Grande) comes in at 550 calories. Most of the other regular holiday coffee drinks are in the 470-600 calorie range with holiday ice cream shakes topping out at over 1250 calories.

Even our holiday favorite eggnog is 175 calories for 4 ounces or ½ cup and who drinks just 4 ounces?

Drinks like Margaritas, mojitos, daiquiris with added sugars are in the 300-450 plus range depending on size. 

Wine and champagne - just 4 ounces is 80-120 calories.

So not only do we have the added calorie problem, its portion size too. Portions are generally calculated on 3-4 ounces so don't let yourself be fooled into thinking you are drinking 100 calories when the portion is really 300 calories. 

Do the math: it takes 3500 calories to add a pound of body fat. A holiday latte 4 times a week for the month will add over two (2) pounds of weight; sugary mixed drinks add well over a pound and we have not even considered the food.  

Ideas: 

Order coffee and lattes with skim milk, skip the cream, lite eggnog and cut down the number per week- it's supposed to be a special treat.

Mix drinks with low calorie or diet mixers, lite fruit juices or sparkling waters.

Try low or zero calorie beverages like sparkling or flat flavored waters. Add a slice of lemon, lime or orange.  Try strawberries or pomegranate seeds for flavor and color, plus these beverages are much better with food. If you have the high calorie drinks, have a zero calorie drink second. 

Lastly, get a plan and remember- beverage calories add up!

2015 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

March 3 - March 22, 2015

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