Need-to-Know Holiday Cookie Info!
The holiday season is full of food. Like, lots of it. One of the hardest items to avoid? COOKIES. From the office to get-togethers to family dinners to holiday parties... They'll be EVERYWHERE from now until the end of the year. Here's a Hungry Girl breakdown of some common classics...
Sugar Cookies
1 medium-sized cookie = 193 calories, 8g fat, 160mg sodium, 24.5g carbs,
Though they may be the most basic in the cookie category, sugar cookies hold a place in many hearts. But, alas, a single cookie is still full of butter, sugar, and other carby calories. However, as long as it isn't loaded up with frosting, glaze, sprinkles, and more, it's not as bad a choice as some others on the list.
More from Hungry Girl: Gingerbread Men and MORE Sweet Recipes!
Most Shocking! Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
1 medium-large cookie = 296 calories, 11g fat, 233mg sodium, 46g carbs, 2g fiber, 22g sugars, 4g protein
Here's where things get complicated. Oats? We love 'em! They're full of good fiber and nutrients. But when you add them to an already high-calorie cookie base, they bring along their extra calories. And raisins? Yeah, they're fruit, but they're sugary dried fruit, which means they too bump up the calories and sugar. If you want these flavors, do yourself a favor: Start your day with cinnamony oatmeal sprinkled with raisins! And do your best to ignore the cookies. They'll ignore you back -- promise.
More from Hungry Girl: Soft, delicious, oatmeal raisin cookies... GUILT-FREE!
Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 medium-sized cookie = 200 calories, 9g fat, 126mg sodium, 26g carbs, 1g fiber, 16g sugars, 2g protein
Chocolate makes just about anything taste better (unless you're talking about burgers or mac 'n cheese), but it also adds to the calorie and fat content. So no surprise here that a single medium-sized chocolate chip cookie packs in 200 calories. A VitaTop is SO much more satisfying...
More from Hungry Girl: Low-Calorie Homemade Chocolate Chip Softies!
Most Fattening! Peanut Butter Cookies
1 medium-large cookie = 313 calories, 18g fat, 227mg sodium, 33g carbs, 1g fiber, 20g sugars, 6g protein
What do you get when you combine sugar, butter, and flour with the fatty and high-calorie substance known as PEANUT BUTTER? Some of the fattiest cookies in the bunch! Even a medium-sized treat can pack a major calorie punch. Eat a couple, and you've swallowed enough for a meal. The protein is nice, but it doesn't make up for the bad stuff. Skip 'em!
More from Hungry Girl: Peanut Butter Cookies (Excess Calories Not Included)!
Supermarket Cookies... HEADS UP!
YIKES! Limited Edition Pure White Fudge Covered Oreo Sandwich Cookies
PER SERVING (1 cookie): 100 calories, 5g fat, 65mg sodium, 13g carbs, 0g fiber, 10g sugars, 1g protein
You might look at these stats and think, "100 calories! That's not bad!" And then you rationally think to yourself, "Uh, hello? When was the last time I ate only ONE little Oreo?" And you start crunching numbers and realize, "If I have five cookies, that's more calories and fat than a McDonald's Double Cheeseburger... and this is just a snack!" Then the horror hits you: "Even if I DO restrict myself to just a couple of cookies, the box will still be in my house and tempting me until every cookie is gone." Way to think it through.
BETTER! Pepperidge Farm Crème Filled Pirouette Rolled Wafers, Chocolate Hazelnut
PER SERVING (2 wafers): 120 calories, 5g fat, 40mg sodium, 19g carbs, 1g fiber, 13g sugars, 1g protein
Entertaining, but don't feel like baking? Try a tin of these. Here's the thing: Not only are they super-cute and very delicious, but you also get several bites out of 'em 'cuz they're not tiny. If you're going to indulge in a cookie treat, you could do worse. YAY and YUM!
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