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Save Calories with Holiday Food Swaps

By , About.com Guide

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turkey

Choosing turkey breast over a drumstick saves over 100 calories.

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Making holiday food swaps is a painless way to prevent weight gain. Just making a few of these changes could save you nearly 1,000 calories! Master the buffet and make smart picks at parties with these ten holiday food swaps.

  1. Instead of: chips and dip (about 7 chips and 2 tablespoons dip)
    Switch to: veggies and salsa
    Save: 185 calories
  2. Instead of: cheese straws (10)
    Switch to: mini pretzels (about 20)
    Save: 280 calories
  3. Instead of: tortilla chips (about 14)
    Switch to: bite-size baked tortilla chips (1 ounce)
    Save: 170 calories

  4. Instead of: fried shrimp (about 6)
    Switch to: smoked salmon (1 cup)
    Save: 295 calories
  5. Instead of: sweet potato casserole (1 cup)
    Switch to: baked sweet potato (1 medium)
    Save: about 200 calories
  6. Instead of: Wings-to-Go bone-in chicken wings (5)
    Switch to: shrimp cocktail (about 8 boiled shrimp with cocktail sauce)
    Save: about 300 calories
  7. Instead of: dark meat turkey (1 drumstick)
    Switch to: turkey breast (about 2 slices)
    Save: approximately 130 calories
  8. Instead of: cranberry sauce (3 half-inch slices)
    Switch to: fruit-flavored gelatin (half cup)
    Save: about 200 calories
  9. Instead of: homemade chocolate fudge (3 pieces)
    Switch to: strawberries (or other fruit) dipped in Hershey's lite chocolate syrup (half cup strawberries with 2 tablespoons syrup)
    Save: about 150 calories
  10. Instead of: pecan pie (1 slice)
    Switch to: pumpkin pie (1 slice)
    Save: almost 200 calories

To find out the calorie content of many more of your favorite holiday foods, visit Calorie Count.

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