You won't believe these festive party standbys are all less than 200 calories. So go ahead: Eat, drink and be merry. By Holly Corbett, REDBOOK.
Cake pops
If the cake on the holiday dessert table is screaming your name, indulge in a cake pop for only about 170 calories and 9 grams of fat. "It's automatic portion control," Keri Gans, R.D., author of The Small Change Diet. You'll satisfy your craving without downing nearly as many calories or as much fat as you would with a slice of red velvet or spice cake.
Pigs in a blanket
For a miniaturized version of the summer barbecue, these hors d'oeuvres are surprisingly slim. Dip one of the 65-calorie finger foods in mustard, and have three of the little guys for under 200 calories.
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Gingersnap cookies
Gingerbread cookies, topped with sugary frosting are fat and calorie bombs - especially because it's almost impossible to have just one. If you're craving a spicy cookie, gingersnaps are a smarter bet. Since one has only 29 calories and less than one gram of fat, you can have a whole handful guilt-free.
Cream puffs
With their gooey centers and flaky outsides, cream puffs sound and taste decadent, but each one is only 97 calories, so go ahead and pop a couple in your mouth.
Deviled eggs
Those savory little finger foods are actually a smart choice, despite their mayonnaise-whipped centers. "You can have two halves for about 130 calories while getting all the nutrients of an egg - including 7 grams of protein," says Gans.
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Truffles
You don't have to forgo those delicious holiday truffles. Each rich dose of chocoalte-y happiness is only 62 calories, so go ahead and have three.
Candy canes
Fat-free and only 40 calories each, candy canes take so long to eat that you won't be tempted to pick apart the gingerbread house. Bonus: Studies find that peppermint's scent is energizing and stress-busting - definitely a plus during the hectic holiday season. For a fancy treat, try stirring your coffee with a candy cane.
Cheese plate
"Don't be afraid of the cheese plate, because four dice-sized bites are roughly equal to a one-ounce serving," says Gans. "Pair the cheese with veggies or a few whole-grain crackers and you should still be eating less than 200 calories." Just one cheese ball, on the other hand, may cost you about 300 calories and 18 grams of fat.
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Hot chocolate with skim milk
Hot chocolate made with whole milk and topped with whipped cream (about 450 calories and 24 grams of fat) is a serious indulgence. Not ready for that kind of commitment? Get a skinnier cocoa fix when you opt for a steamy mug sans whipped cream and made with skim milk for only 120 calories and 1.3 grams of fat.
Chocolate covered strawberries
While a measly piece of chocolate bark can have more than 250 calories and 15 grams of fat, one chocolate-covered strawberry contains about 40 calories and 2 grams of fat. "That means you can have four for less than 200 calories," says Gans. "The berries are also packed with immune-boosting vitamin C to help ward off colds."
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