22 holiday weight-loss tips

Instead of: Potato chips (20) and ranch dip
Choose: Vegetable platter with 3 tbsp (45 mL) chickpea hummus
You'll save: more than 175 calories. And you'll gain antioxidant vitamins that might protect against some cancers.

Instead of: 3 large breaded fried shrimp in 1 tbsp (15 mL) tartar sauce
Choose: 6 large boiled or steamed shrimp (with lemon juice, freshly squeezed)
You'll save: 170 calories and 16 grams of fat

Instead of: Regular salad dressing
Choose: Low-calorie salad dressing
You'll save: at least 50 calories and up to 10 grams of fat per 1-tbsp (15 mL) serving.

Instead of: Butter/hard margarine
Choose: Soft, non-hydrogenated margarine
You'll save: you heart, by avoiding saturated and trans fats. One serving should be the size of the tip of your thumb.

Instead of: Mayonnaise on your leftover turkey sandwich
Choose: Cranberry sauce
You'll save: 50 calories and seven grams fat per 1-tbsp (15 mL) serving.

Instead of: Regular eggnog
Choose: Low-fat eggnog (or add skim milk to half the regular eggnog)
You'll save: almost one-quarter of your daily fat requirement per 1-cup (250 mL) serving.

Instead of: Sweet dessert wine
Choose: Wine spritzer (dry red or white wine with club soda)
You'll save: half the calories.

Instead of: Flavoured latte topped with whipped cream
Choose: Skim milk mocha beverage with a mini candy cane
You'll save: at least 150 calories and 17 grams of fat per large-size beverage.

Instead of: A martini, daiquiri or other mixed drink
Choose: Vodka with diet soda
You'll save: nearly 400 calories per standard-size drink. Mixed drinks are loaded with sugar-laden juices, mixers or liqueurs.

Instead of: 1/6 pumpkin pie with 3 tbsp (45 mL) whipped cream
Choose: 1/12 pumpkin pie with no whipped cream
You'll save: 150 calories and 11 grams of fat.

Instead of: 1 slice fruitcake (43 g)
Choose: 1/2 cup (125 mL) fresh fruit with 1/4 cup (50 mL) low-fat yogurt
You'll save: almost 50 calories and three grams of fat.

Instead of: 1/6 pecan pie
Choose: 1/12 angel food cake, strawberries and 3 tbsp (45 mL) low-fat whipped cream
You'll save: more than 300 calories and 19 grams of fat

Still worried about holiday weight gain? Read about the 5 sneaky things that make you gain weight.

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