They’re everywhere — the colorful, sugary, filled-with-calorie treats and beverages that the holidays spawn.
To help you survive the end-of-year feasts without creating your own version of Santa’s jolly belly, we combed through party staples and seasonal favorites and compiled a list of foods that should stay on the platter and not on your plate. According to the National Institutes of Health, people who gain weight during the holidays have a harder time shedding those pounds (although the good news is that most people don’t gain as much weight as they fear during winter festivities). But don’t worry, there’s no need to snub Grandma’s gingerbread cookies. As always, moderation is key, and with the help of Dr. Howard Shapiro, a New York City physician and weight loss specialist, we found relatively simple substitutes for turning seasonal naughty foods, nice.