Holiday ‘goodies’ can add up quickly

This is the season when we’re surrounded by special foods. “I made this new recipe last night — try it!” “My mom sent me a box of her homemade candy and I don’t want to eat it all myself…” Sound familiar?

We can put in an easy 300 to 400 calories in a day and not even realize it during this season. Let’s take a look at a possible day:

1. Someone brought holiday candy to work today. I’ll just have one small piece of peanut brittle. Approximate calories: 80.

2. It’s mid afternoon and you still haven’t eaten lunch. You need to pick up a few things at the grocery store. The store is offering food samples — I’ll just eat a little cracker with spread and try a quarter-cup sample of a new holiday coffee to tide me over. Approximate calories: 100.

3. Break time at work — someone brought some chocolate-covered cherries. I’ll just have one (60 calories) with some coffee. The coffee is really strong today. I’ll just add some fat free creamer to it (40 calories). Total calories: 100.

4. You’re working on a project and need a break. Nuts and cereal are good for you, right? I’ll just have a handful of the mix. Approximate calories: 105.

Grand total: 385 calories. If comparable types of “bites” or “just ones” are continued through the holidays, it’s possible to gain as much as a pound a week. It takes about 3,500 calories to gain a pound. One hundred extra calories a day can put on 10 pounds a year.

Does this mean we can’t enjoy these goodies during the holidays? Of course not — it just means we need to pay attention to what we’re eating and how often we’re eating. We also need to increase our physical activity to accommodate those extra calories. Re-member it’s the conversation with family and friends, not the crunches that mean the most this time of year. Happy holidays!

For more information, contact Eunice Sahr, Extension Agent, NDSU Extension Service/ Stutsman County, 116 1/2 First St E., Jamestown, ND. She may be reached at 252-9030 or eunice.sahr@ ndsu.edu

Tags: holiday, diet, candy, food