1. Health

20 Holiday Season Calorie-Cutting Tips

Save Calories with These Food Swaps

From , former About.com Guide

Updated December 05, 2010

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Cutting calories isn't as difficult as you think -- even during the holidays! From appetizers to desserts, here are some simple swaps that will save hundreds of calories:

Appetizers

Swap: Bacon-wrapped scallops, 3
For: Shrimp, 3 large with 3 tsp. cocktail sauce
Save: 114 calories

Swap: Spiced pecans, 1 oz.
For: Olives, jumbo, 10
Save: 150 calories

Swap: Mini-quiches, 3
For: Mushroom turnovers, 3
Save: 54 calories

Swap: Pita chips, 15
For: Potato chips, 15
Save: 45 calories

Entrees

Swap: Turkey breast, 3 oz., with cranberry sauce, 2 Tbsp.
For: Lobster tail with lemon juice, 1
Save: 42 calories

Swap: Lamb loin chops, 3
For: Glazed ham, 6 oz.
Save: 355 calories

Swap: Turkey, dark-meat with skin, 6 oz.
For: Turkey, white-meat without skin, 6 oz. and gravy, ¼ c.
Save: 147 calories

Swap: Duck, 6 oz.
For: Beef tenderloin, 6 oz.
Save: 202 calories

Sides

Swap: Stuffing, 1 c.
For: Mashed potatoes, 1 c.
Save: 180 calories

Swap: Candied yams, 1 c.
For: Baked butternut squash, 1 c.
Save: 258 calories

Swap: Buttermilk biscuit, 1
For: Dinner roll, 1
Save: 101 calories

Desserts

Swap: Yule log (1 slice out of a 12-slice yield)
For: Brownie, 1 (2-inch square)
Save: 265 calories

Swap: Cheesecake square, small
For: Individual pecan tart, 1 small
Save: 127 calories

Swap: Jelly doughnut, 1
For: Jelly-filled doughnut holes, 2
Save: 140 calories

Drinks

Swap: Champagne, 5 oz.
For: Red wine, 5 oz.
Save: 20 calories

Swap: Pumpkin latte made with whole milk, 12 oz.
For: Non-fat cappuccino, 12 oz., with a dash of pumpkin pie spice
Save: 269 calories

Swap: Cosmo, 4 oz.
For: Cranberry vodka, 1 oz. and club soda, 3 oz.
Save: 149 calories

Swap: Hot chocolate made with whole milk, 8 oz.
For: Hot chocolate made with fat-free milk, 8 oz.
Save: 63 calories

Find out how many calories are in your favorite holiday dish with About.com's Calorie Count.

Get your new year's weight loss efforts off to a great start by signing up for our free Weight Loss 101 e-Course.

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