Healthier Holiday Beverages

If you’re planning to incorporate some healthier holiday foods onto your plate this season, you may also want to keep in mind the beverages and refreshments you’ll be consuming.   

Rich and delicious eggnog, hot chocolate and peppermint mochas are popular choices this time of year. But these items are not only loaded with flavor, they’re also loaded with calories and added sugars. 

If hot chocolate or eggnog is a holiday favorite of yours, there’s no need to entirely avoid them, just choose a smaller portion. Try serving these drinks in a shorter or smaller glass. When making these items, you could also consider substituting dairy milk with unsweetened nut-based milks such as almond, cashew or coconut milk. These unsweetened nut-based milks typically have two-thirds the calorie content of traditional fat-free dairy milk.

Try this lighter hot chocolate recipe adapted from eatingwell.com, provided by Truvia®. 

Reduced-Calorie Hot Chocolate
Serves 3.

All you need:

2 tbsp Truvia® calorie-free sweetener

3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

2 cups unsweetened almond milk

Dash of cinnamon

All you do:

1. Mix together Truvia® calorie-free sweetener and cocoa powder in a small saucepan; add almond milk and whisk until blended.

2. Cook over medium heat, stirring to prevent scorching, until very hot. Do not boil.

3. Serve in mugs and top with a dash of cinnamon.

New Year’s Eve is typically a popular holiday where tasty cocktails and mocktails are consumed. Regardless of whether you prefer cocktails or mocktails, La Croix sparkling water can help keep you on track as the New Year begins. This zero-calorie beverage is free of added sugar and artificial ingredients and consists of just natural flavors extracted from fruit. Try this recipe below.  

LaCroix Raspberry-Lime Cocktail:

All you need:

3 to 5 raspberries

2 oz tart cherry juice

Ice

LaCroix lime-flavored sparkling water

2 oz vodka, optional

All you do:

1.  Muddle raspberries in a tall glass. Add cherry juice and ice.

2. Top with LaCroix lime-flavored sparkling water.

3. For an extra kick, add vodka. 

The impact on health of excess calories from sugary drinks is well known. Regularly consuming sugary drinks increases a person’s risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Excess alcohol – also providing additional calories – has its own health consequences long-term. At the end of the day, it’s all about moderation and balance. If you’re struggling to figure out how to acquire this balance, you know who to reach out to – your West Lakes Hy-Vee dietitians. 

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

-Dietitian Natalie