Healthy Holiday Snacks

Lots of us gain a few pounds during the holidays - but you don't have to. Just follow these snacking tips and you'll be healthy in January without having to deprive yourself of all the yummy holiday treats.

Healthy Holiday Snacks - Bite-Sized Bits

Have your treats, but fill up on fruits and vegetables at the buffet.

Set out bite-sized, healthy snacks such as popcorn, raisins or nuts

Fruit salad

Low-fat string cheese

Low-fat yogurt

Homemade fruit and bran muffins

Air-popped popcorn

Low-fat tortilla chips

Peanut butter spread on apple slices - the movie stars favorite

Almonds - our favorite

Trail mix -- make your own, and include raisins, dried cranberries, unsalted peanuts, chocolate chips, crunchy wheat cereal or low-fat granola, and sunflower seeds

Healthy snacks don't have to be about carrot sticks and bran muffins. Have your fill, but don't eat a ton of it at the same time. Remember, the key to healthy snacking is to eat in moderation. So have your fill of delish treats, but

Stock up on healthy options like fresh and dried fruit, nuts, seeds and yogurt. Instead of ice cream, opt for something like frozen yogurt

Healthy Holiday Snacks - Fun With Fondue

Fondue is a fun and tasty treat. Sure, it involves chocolate, but the healthy part comes in the form of your dunking pieces. Apples, bananas, kiwis, strawberries, mangoes, pineapple chunks... the possibilities are endless!

Healthy Holiday Snacks - Low-Cal Egg Nog

Egg nog is thick, delicious - and packed with calories. But you can make your own healthy version by swapping the regular milk for low-fat, fat-free, skim or soy.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup egg substitute

2 cups skim milk

1/2 cup fat-free creamer

2 tbs sugar substitute

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp nutmeg, cinnamon or pumpkin spice

Directions:

Mix all ingredients until thickened.

Cover egg nog and allow to chill for at least 2 hours.

Top each glass of egg nog with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg, or add a dollop of fat-free, sugar-free whipped cream and enjoy!

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Read more: Health