Winter is the perfect time to bring out all our favorite comfort foods and holiday treats, but as you may have noticed over the years, some of these holiday snacks can contribute to a lot of weight gain. While there’s no problem with indulging, being a little more mindful about what you’re eating can make a big difference. So, let’s take a look at some common culprits that might be worth avoiding or enjoying in moderation.
Creamy Soups
There’s nothing that says “winter” quite like a warm creamy soup. But unfortunately, soups like clam chowder or broccoli cheddar are often packed with unhealthy amounts of heavy cream and butter. These hidden calories can add up quickly, especially when you eat them with bread and other snacks.
Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream
We can all agree that hot chocolate feels like the ultimate winter indulgence, but all that sugar, full-fat milk, and whipped cream toppings can easily turn it into a calorific disaster. In fact, a single cup can pack as many calories as a small meal.
If you want to watch your weight this winter, you may want to consider switching to low-sugar cocoa mixes and skipping the whipped cream.
Store-Bought Granola
While its packaging may lead you to believe that granola is always a healthy choice, many store-bought versions are loaded with sugar and fats from oils or sweeteners. You might be surprised to hear that a small serving can contain even more calories than a bowl of ice cream.
Mac and Cheese
It’s no wonder why so many of us love a bowl of mac and cheese in the colder months. This American classic is rich, cheesy, and comforting—but it’s also high in refined carbs, fats, and calories.
Just one serving can easily exceed your daily saturated fat limit, so you might want to try whole-grain pasta with a lighter cheese sauce if you want to keep the flavor without overloading on calories.
Sugary Coffee Drinks
Those seasonal lattes and mochas from your favorite coffee place can be really hard to resist when the temperatures plummet. However, it’s important to stay mindful, as their sugar content can rival that of desserts. For example, a medium-sized flavored latte often contains hundreds of calories.
Packaged Holiday Cookies
Festive cookies are delicious, comforting, and convenient, but before you grab that pack from the store, you should know that they’re also often loaded with added sugars, unhealthy fats, and preservatives.
And as you probably know, these calorie-dense treats are easy to overeat when they’re sitting on your counter. Instead, you could simply bake your own with whole-grain flour and less sugar.
White Bread
White bread is eaten throughout the year, but it becomes a huge staple during the holidays. The problem is that it offers little nutritional value and can quickly spike your blood sugar. What’s more, eating refined carbs regularly during winter can lead to increased cravings and unwanted weight gain.
Cheese Boards
If you enjoy a touch of indulgence at Christmas time, you’re probably a big fan of cheese boards. While these boards are great for winter gatherings, indulging too much can lead to an overconsumption of saturated fats and calories. Cheese does have nutritional benefits, but it’s important to enjoy it in moderation.
Instant Oatmeal Packs
When the weather turns colder, instant oatmeal makes the perfect warm, convenient breakfast option. But while oatmeal is usually considered healthy, many flavored packets are packed with sugar. Plus, a bowl of pre-sweetened oatmeal can leave you hungry sooner and lead to mid-morning snacking.
That’s why you’re better off opting for plain rolled oats and a healthy dose of fresh fruit or cinnamon for natural sweetness.
Frozen Pizza
It’s true that frozen pizzas are a quick and comforting winter meal, but they’re not exactly the healthiest option. They’re often high in refined carbs, sodium, and unhealthy fats, all of which contribute to bloating and weight gain when you eat them a few too many times.
Sweetened Yogurt
Yogurt is widely seen as a health food, and many varieties are healthy. However, a lot of store-bought options are full of extra sugar, especially in flavored varieties. These hidden sugars can counteract the benefits of their probiotics and protein. So if you’re health-conscious, go for plain yogurt and add fresh berries or a drizzle of honey for a hint of sweetness.
Potato Chips
It’s common for people to turn to potato chips when they get those evening snack cravings, especially in the winter. But as you may have noticed, these calorie-dense snacks are hard to eat in moderation. If you have a hard time putting the bag down, you may want to swap them out for air-popped popcorn or roasted chickpeas.
Packaged Hot Cereal Mixes
Cold milk and cereal just don’t seem as appealing when it’s colder outside, so you may be tempted by those packaged hot cereals with flavors like apple cinnamon or maple brown sugar. However, while they may seem harmless enough, they’re often filled with added sugars and artificial ingredients.
Holiday Fruitcake
Fruitcake is a truly iconic traditional winter treat, but it’s also dense with sugar, syrup, and alcohol-soaked fruits. These calorie-heavy slices have next to no nutritional value and are pretty easy to overeat. For a healthier option, try making your own fruit-based desserts like baked apples or spiced poached pears.
Canned Chili
When you’re feeling cold and want a quick hot meal, canned chili is an easy choice. The issue is that it’s often loaded with sodium and preservatives. These additives can lead to bloating and extra water weight, which is anything but warm and comforting.
Heavy Cream-Based Pasta Dishes
If you’re a big fan of pasta, you probably love the idea of a big bowl of hot Fettuccine Alfredo in the winter months. However, while cream-based pastas are rich and comforting, they’re typically loaded with unhealthy fats and calories. If you enjoy them a few times too many, you’ll probably notice a significant amount of weight gain over the season.
Eggnog
As we all know, eggnog is a holiday staple, but its combination of cream, sugar, and alcohol makes it incredibly calorie-dense. Sadly, just one glass can rival the calorie count of a whole meal. If you can’t resist it, limit yourself to small servings or try a lightened-up version made with almond milk and less sugar.
Chocolate-Covered Pretzels
Sweet-and-salty snacks like chocolate-covered pretzels are definitely tempting, but they’ll also load you up on empty calories without actually filling you up. These treats often contain refined sugars and unhealthy fats, making them less than ideal for frequent snacking.
Casseroles with Cream Soups
Yet another deliciously creamy classic we turn to in winter is casseroles made with condensed cream soups. But unfortunately, they’re often remarkably high in sodium, fat, and calories. These ingredients can make even healthy vegetables significantly less nutritious.