6 Easy Ways to Cut Calories During the Holidays

We’re guessing the turkey won’t be the only thing that’s stuffed at this year's holiday dinner table. The holidays are notoriously tied to overeating. It’s understandable. With heaps of delicious, calorie-laden foods at your fingertips, it’s hard to resist.

Still, if you don’t want to sew elastic bands into your pants come January, follow these six simple tips to eat healthy this season.

1. Start with a veggie and hummus appetizer. Before dinner, fill up on fiber-rich veggies. Nosh on carrots, bell peppers and celery instead of fried foods and cheese. Dip them in a flavorful hummus and you’ll have a tasty and healthy appetizer.
2. Stick with turkey. A much leaner choice than ham or beef, opt for white, skinless turkey breasts over dark meat to save about 50 calories per serving. 
3. Choose sweet potatoes, not buttery mashed potatoes. A great source of beta carotene, magnesium, potassium and vitamin A, sweet potatoes are also low in calories. Instead of diving head-first into a bowl of creamy, buttery mashed potatoes, try a scoop of roasted sweet potatoes with a dash of cinnamon. Remember not to bury them in butter, sugar and marshmallows.
4. Steer clear of stuffing. Crave carbs? Enjoy a whole-wheat dinner roll instead of stuffing to save yourself over 300 calories.
5. Drink dry wine or a wine spritzer. Drier wines and wines with lower alcohol content are also lower in calories. Whether red or white, aim for a wine grown in a cooler climate, which produces less sugar. Check the label for ABV (alcohol by volume) content, then choose a lower one if you want to cut calories. If you prefer a sweeter wine, try adding some soda or sparkling water to make a spritzer. It’s a great way to limit your alcohol intake and your calories. Avoid dessert wines, which have added sugars.
6. Treat your sweet tooth to pumpkin pie. If you have a choice, pumpkin pie is your best bet for dessert. At around 300 calories a slice, it’s a slimmer choice compared to apple and pecan pie.

You might not always be able to stick to eating healthily (or even these tips) during the holidays. That's OK. If you do indulge in unhealthy foods, practice portion control. Eat small servings and don’t go back for seconds.

If you overdo it, forgive yourself, then climb back on the horse the next day. The most important thing to focus on during the holidays is spending quality time with your family and friends — even if it means finding ways to cope with your family dynamics.

Sources: Healthy Eating and the Holidays,  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024; The Best (and Worst) Thanksgiving Foods for Your Health,  Healthline, 2021

Originally published 8/10/2014: Revised 2017, 2020, 2022, 2024