Home
Health News
Save Your Household 34,790 Holiday Calories

Save Your Household 34,790 Holiday Calories

By Sidney Fry, MS, RD

November 10, 2014

Skip gallery slides

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor

Lighten your family's feasting load with our holiday favorites.

Start Slideshow

1 of 21

Trimming Calories

Credit: Photo: Christopher Testani

It's a busy time of year in most kitchens, as all sorts of festive sweets and eats get cranked out for family and friends. We've rounded up a few of our tasty past favorites to share and compare to their traditional, heavier counterparts, including creamy gratin, buttery brioche, and even nog. Believe it: There are hefty savings involved when you serve our lighter versions—nearly 35,000 if you traded them all in. The strategy is simple: Cook our recipes, share with family, and save big.

2 of 21

Marmalade French Toast Casserole

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor

We swap hefty egg bread for sourdough and whip up a low-fat milk custard to replace heavy cream.

OURS 293 calories, 3.2g sat fat
CLASSIC 596 calories, 6.6g sat fat
SAVES 303 calories, 3.4g sat fat

3 of 21

Eggnog

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor

We trade in heavy cream, whole milk, and loads of sugar for a combination of low-fat milk and fat-free condensed milk to thicken and add a touch of sweetness.

OURS 147 calories, 1.1g sat fat
CLASSIC 410 calories, 16g sat fat
SAVES 263 calories, 14.9g sat fat

4 of 21

Phyllo-Wrapped Asparagus with Prosciutto

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor

Wrap asparagus in flaky phyllo instead of buttery puff pastry.

OURS 59 calories, 0.3g sat fat
CLASSIC 261 calories, 5.5g sat fat
SAVES 202 calories, 5.2g sat fat

5 of 21

Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor

Rich, nonfat Greek yogurt lightens our chocolate-crusted filling, topped with an elegant tart-sweet cranberry swirl.

OURS 321 calories, 6.1g sat fat
CLASSIC 573 calories, 21.2g sat fat
SAVES 252 calories, 15.1g sat fat

6 of 21

Brioche Rolls

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor

We cut butter in half and let these rolls rise overnight to build flavor and develop a light, fluffy texture. A muffin tin keeps our portions in check.

OURS 128 calories, 2.8g sat fat
CLASSIC 269 calories, 8g sat fat
SAVES 141 calories, 5.2g sat fat

7 of 21

Salad with Pistachio Goat Cheese

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor

Goat cheese is coated in heart-healthy pistachios instead of breaded and fried; juicy-fresh grapes add a burst of sweet.

OURS 235 calories, 5.2g sat fat
CLASSIC 443 calories, 10.5g sat fat
SAVES 208 calories, 5.3g sat fat

8 of 21

Chocolate Babka

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor

Swoon over our deceptively lighter version, which removes a pound of butter and 2 cups of sugar from the original.

OURS 220 calories, 4.3g sat fat
CLASSIC 368 calories, 11.8g sat fat
SAVES 148 calories, 7.5g sat fat

9 of 21

Spinach-and-Artichoke Dip

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Spinach-and-Artichoke Dip

No mayo here: part-skim mozzarella and Parm add creamy, cheesy goodness to this spinach-packed dip.

OURS 75 calories, 2.4g sat fat
CLASSIC 257 calories, 6.7g sat fat
SAVES 182 calories, 4.3g sat fat

10 of 21

Roast Stuffed Pork Loin with Port Sauce

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Roast Stuffed Pork Loin with Port Sauce

We trim butter and slim portions of this pork loin stuffed with herbs, veggies, and port-soaked cherries.

OURS 262 calories, 3.1g sat fat
CLASSIC 639 calories, 12.6g sat fat
SAVES 377 calories, 9.5g sat fat

11 of 21

Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint Frosting

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor

A light, mint-infused cream cheese frosting replaces heavy buttercream.

OURS 214 calories, 3.7g sat fat
CLASSIC 441 calories, 13.7g sat fat
SAVES 227 calories, 10g sat fat

12 of 21

Egg and Hash Brown Casserole

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor

We boost flavor with a bit of bacon and reduced-fat Swiss, then stuff these spuds with onions, mushrooms, and spinach.

OURS 238 calories, 4.3g sat fat
CLASSIC 511 calories, 14.3g sat fat
SAVES 273 calories, 10g sat fat

13 of 21

Mini Frittatas with Ham and Cheese

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor

Skip the crust and save: For 39 calories you get 3 of these cheese-packed bites, made lighter with egg whites.

OURS 39 calories, 0.5g sat fat
CLASSIC 345 calories, 11g sat fat
SAVES 306 calories, 10.5g sat fat

14 of 21

Fluffy Buttermilk Drop Biscuits

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Fluffy Buttermilk Drop Biscuits

Our whole-grain biscuits are lightened with nonfat buttermilk and ready in 20 minutes. When the warm butter meets the cold buttermilk, it will begin to form clumps—little droplets of fat throughout the liquid—a sign of success. The pockets ensure even distribution of fat throughout the batter, creating a lighter biscuit with less butter.

OURS 133 calories, 2.6g sat fat
CLASSIC 279 calories, 8g sat fat
SAVES 146 calories, 5.4g sat fat

15 of 21

Classic Potato Latkes

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor

Skip the deep-fryer and try our pan-seared crispy latkes, served with applesauce instead of sour cream.

OURS 215 calories, 1.3g sat fat
CLASSIC 330 calories, 4.7g sat fat
SAVES 115 calories, 3.4g sat fat

Classic Potato Latkes

16 of 21

Sweet and Spicy Nut and Pretzel Mix

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor

Crunchy, salty, spicy, sweet—this nutty mix trims butter by two-thirds, cuts sodium in half, and is guaranteed to satisfy all hungry houseguests.

OURS 99 calories, 1.1g sat fat
CLASSIC 125 calories, 3g sat fat
SAVES 26 calories, 1.9g sat fat

17 of 21

Savory Herb Gravy

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor

We start with an herb-and-veggie-packed stock reduction, add skimmed turkey drippings, and thicken with flour for a silky-smooth gravy without butter.

OURS 21 calories, 0.2g sat fat
CLASSIC 75 calories, 3.5g sat fat
SAVES 54 calories, 3.3g sat fat

18 of 21

Anise Tea Crescents

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor

Flavored with a hint of sweet, aromatic anise, these cookies sub canola oil for some of the butter to lighten.

OURS 131 calories, 2.4g sat fat
CLASSIC 294 calories, 10g sat fat
SAVES 163 calories, 7.6g sat fat

19 of 21

Lighter Fruitcake

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Lighter Fruitcake

Candied fruit is swapped for fresh, whole-wheat flour adds nutty goodness, and a drizzle of apple brandy finishes with just enough glazy goodness.

OURS 283 calories, 2.9g sat fat
CLASSIC 574 calories, 8g sat fat
SAVES 291 calories, 5.1g sat fat

20 of 21

Date, Walnut, and Blue Cheese Ball

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor

A little blue cheese goes a long way when blended with light cream cheese; toasty walnuts coat with healthy crunch.

OURS 78 calories, 2.6g sat fat
CLASSIC 202 calories, 8.9g sat fat
SAVES 124 calories, 6.3g sat fat

21 of 21

Two-Potato Gratin

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor

No heavy cream or butter needed: We use high-flavor cheeses and fresh herbs.

OURS 218 calories, 3.5g sat fat
CLASSIC 363 calories, 14.9g sat fat
SAVES 145 calories, 11.4g sat fat

Replay gallery

Up Next

By Sidney Fry, MS, RD

Account

Save Your Household 34,790 Holiday Calories

1 of 21

Trimming Calories

1 of 21

2 of 21

Marmalade French Toast Casserole

2 of 21

3 of 21

Eggnog

3 of 21

4 of 21

Phyllo-Wrapped Asparagus with Prosciutto

4 of 21

5 of 21

Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake

5 of 21

6 of 21

Brioche Rolls

6 of 21

7 of 21

Salad with Pistachio Goat Cheese

7 of 21

8 of 21

Chocolate Babka

8 of 21

9 of 21

Spinach-and-Artichoke Dip

9 of 21

10 of 21

Roast Stuffed Pork Loin with Port Sauce

10 of 21

11 of 21

Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint Frosting

11 of 21

12 of 21

Egg and Hash Brown Casserole

12 of 21

13 of 21

Mini Frittatas with Ham and Cheese

13 of 21

14 of 21

Fluffy Buttermilk Drop Biscuits

14 of 21

15 of 21

Classic Potato Latkes

15 of 21

16 of 21

Sweet and Spicy Nut and Pretzel Mix

16 of 21

17 of 21

Savory Herb Gravy

17 of 21

18 of 21

Anise Tea Crescents

18 of 21

19 of 21

Lighter Fruitcake

19 of 21

20 of 21

Date, Walnut, and Blue Cheese Ball

20 of 21

21 of 21

Two-Potato Gratin

21 of 21

Share the Gallery

Up Next

Share the Gallery

Everything in This Slideshow