On the third day of FitMas NCHPAD gave to you...the truth about holiday drinks to keep you in the loop!

 By Carleton Rivers, RD LD

Sugar, Fat and Calories OH MY!

Image courtesy of gt_pann / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

You may be surprised to learn that holiday drinks alone can help you put on the pounds. Sugar, fat and calories are abundant in delicious beverages like eggnog, hot chocolate, lattes and Christmas punch. So this year, ReThink Your Drink! Here are some quick tips on how to save calories but still enjoy those tasty drinks.

• Choose the low-fat option (or Skinny version)
• Drink a glass of water in between each cocktail or alcoholic beverage
• Instead of a fizzy Christmas punch, enjoy the same effervescence with a glass of Prosecco
• Swap that soda with a glass of fruit-infused water.  Sliced oranges in a pitcher of water make a great refreshing beverage.

The Truth about What You’re Drinking

1 Starbucks Tall Eggnog Latte = 370 calories, 17g fat, 39g sugar

1 Dunkin’ Donuts Small Hot Chocolate = 220 calories, 7g fat, 30g sugar
20oz bottle of Coke = 240 calories, 0g fat, 65g sugar

10oz Orange Juice – 100% Juice = 140 calories, 0g fat, 28g sugar

The American Heart Association recommends limiting sugar intake to 100 calories per day for women and 150 calories for men. That would be equal to 25g and 37.5g of sugar respectively. To show how easy it is to consume too much sugar, one tall eggnog latte would send you beyond your sugar intake for the day.