Overweight people tend to gain an average of five pounds during the holidays, the December 2000 edition of "Nutrition Reviews" found. The authors note that gaining weight around Christmas time may be fueling the obesity epidemic. While many Christmas foods, such as cookies or pie, may be unhealthy and calorie-rich, there are a number of healthy Christmas foods to chose from.
Chestnuts
Whether you choose to roast them on an open fire as the classic Christmas song describes or simply eat them raw, chestnuts are a low-calorie alternative to high-fat nuts, such as almonds and walnuts. The typical serving of chestnuts contains less than one-half g of fat and only 64 calories, the University of Missouri states. Additionally, chestnuts are rich in vitamin C, a vitamin that can boost your immunity and help prevent wintertime colds and flu.
Cranberry Sauce
Natural cranberry sauce made with fresh cranberries is naturally rich in antioxidants that can protect your heart, the National Cranberry Institute states. Cranberries contain significant amounts of a special antioxidant known as flavonoids. The flavonoids in cranberries can protect your heart from the damage that leads to clogged arteries. Opt to make your cranberry sauce with limited or no added sugar to retain its health-boosting properties; use orange juice or sugar substitutes to offset the cranberries' tartness.
Turkey
Many families choose to repeat Thanksgiving dinner by dining on a roast turkey on Christmas. Turkey is a white meat that's lower in saturated fat and calories than other Christmastime choices, such as roast beef and ham. Limiting saturated fat intake can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Opt to eat your turkey with limited amounts of gravy, which is high in saturated fat and calories.
Yams
Yams are a popular Christmas dinner side dish. Not only are yams delicious, they are very low on the glycemic index, Harvard University reports. Eating low glycemic index foods, such as yams, regularly may reduce your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and keep tabs on your holiday appetite. Opt to cook yams without added sugar or oil. Also, don't remove the skin on the yams, as the skin is naturally high in dietary fiber.
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