Gingerbread Men Equality & Holiday Treats

Help — he’s after me!
Source

Yep, that damn gingerbread man! Everywhere I go there seems to be some delectable (or adorable) looking treat that I want to devour and crush (Freud would have a field day with those sentiments).

This is the time of year that reminds me that food is not just food.  Food seems to be an integral part of the holiday season — we literally give thanks around it, give it to others as a sign of love and cherish memories of childhood treats snuggled in stockings or smuggled by visiting relatives.  I guess it’s a good time to remind you (as I remind myself) that abstinence is probably not the smartest tactic right now (we’re talking food not sex, though do with the analogy what you will).  I’m a fan of preemptive actions.  I try not to indulge if it was completely unplanned for — but this season is all about chaos, right?  So try to be smarter about your planned and unplanned treats (*points at self with furrowed brow*).

Men Are Equal, Gingerbread Men Are Not

• Calories in gingerbread man from Au Bon Pain:  290
• Calories in gingerbread cake slice from Starbucks: 440
• Calories in largest gingerbread man every baked coming in at 1,435 pounds: More than enough to turn you into an actual gingerbread man or enough to grow an army of gingerbread men on your derriere.
• Moral:  Keep portion size in check, people! 

The “Is it Worth it?” Test

There are some sweets that look nice, smell good and that I wouldn’t mind hijacking to belly-land, but there are others that I’d like to give pet-names to and smooch under mistletoe (wow, I’m crazy).  So, when you get the inkling for an eggnog latte from Starbucks, ask yourself — is it worth the holy shit 450 calories (for a grande with non-fat milk)?  Probably not.  Peppermint bark? Different story.

Smart Holiday Treats

• Candy canes generally come in at 60 calories each.  If you feel yourself reaching for the 400-calorie ever-present slice of dubious fruitcake (what’s with all the red boxes of panettone fruit cake this time of year? Who eats fruit cake?!?) simply for celebratory tendencies or nostalgic sentiments, reach for a candy cane instead — it might just do the trick!
• Treat yourself to something non-edible   Will cute little gingerbread earrings like these satisfy your sweet tooth?  If only it were so easy! (but aren’t they adorable?!)

Holiday Snack Swaps

• You can always make your own holiday treats (and not just treats but entrees, side dishes, snacks, etc.).  Type in your favorite holiday food into a search engine and tag “+ healthy recipe” onto the end.  You will get recipes for healthier version of your favorite foods!
• Sweet tooth still hassling you even after you’ve tried to appease her?  My new love is this tea.  I swear it tastes like a holiday dessert!
• Heat up a VitaTop or Penny’s Low-Fat Muffin and add your favorite holiday decor via sprinkles or even break up some candy cane pieces on top of it and voila! — a holiday treat that’s low in calories and fat!
• Check out Hungry Girl swaps here and here
• Check out Sparkpeople’s healthy holiday survival guide here

May your belly be happy and your sanity intact.  Are there any holiday foods or treats that you just can’t pass up this season?

<3,

The Cranky One

p.s. You can still enter my give-away until midnight tonight PST!
p.p.s.  Vegetarian recipe part II to come tomorrow (*fingers crossed*)
p.p.p.s. Want a vegan, wheat-free recipe for gingerbread men? Go here. How about the Cooking Light recipe for gingerbread (56 calories each) here or just vegan recipe from Veg News here

Tags: food swaps, healthy desserts, holiday foods, low calorie desserts, low calorie gingerbread, vegan desserts, vegetarian dessert