Cool Treats to Curb the Thanksgiving Weight Gain

By: Finance Foodie

Even though Thanksgiving is still a few weeks away, my mind is already thinking about the delicious holiday treats that await my stomach on Thursday afternoon. Candied yams, green bean almandine, pumpkin pie, and of course the roasted turkey centerpiece – can you say 10 pounds straight to the hips?

To avoid my annual 10 pound “Turkey Day Weight Gain” (which has become more and more painful to lose with each New Year’s Resolution), I’ve stocked my fridge with a some healthy and low calorie -- but still delicious -- treats that I’ve recently discovered to keep my indulgences from becoming "over" indulgences.

Let’s take a peak, shall we?....

Eat Well Enjoy Life Hummus 

(70-80 calories per 2 Tbsp)

As the Mediterranean Diet continues to gain in popularity, this new line of "non chick pea" hummus with gourmet toppers is my go to when I want to “sauce up” my pita bread. Eat Well Enjoy Life‘s innovative hummus varieties are unique in that they don’t use traditional chick peas as a base – instead, they are made with Edamame, Tuscan White Beans and Yellow Lentils. For example, fun combinations include such as: Edamame Hummus with a yellow pepper, sesame and ginger topping (my favorite out of the bunch!); White Bean Hummus with Roasted Garlic Tapenade and Spicy Yellow Lentil Hummus with Sunflower Seeds and Apricot. Besides being low fat and cals, all of their products are gluten free, kosher, and cholesterol free.

Perdue Simply Smart Frozen Chicken
(140 calories per marinated grilled breast)

Perdue's new line of grilled, lightly breaded and roasted chicken delivers the nutrition and great taste that naturally comes from real and recognizable ingredients, such as sea salt, cracked black pepper and olive oil, and contains no preservatives. Each item in the line has at least 40% fewer calories, at least 50% less fat and at least 25% more protein than the USDA standard for breaded fried boneless chicken-- making it a healthy, yummy and easy way to fill up without all the fat and cals!

Classico Light Creamy Alfredo Pasta Sauce 
(60 calories per 1/4 cup)

This new pasta sauce from Classico is everything an Alfredo should be just lighter, with 50% less fat and 45% fewer calories than the leading brands of Alfredo sauces, but all of the rich and creamy taste. With just 60 calories per serving, it's made with real, high-quality ingredients such as cream, Parmesan cheese and butter. This new pasta sauce is totally a tasty option that my mouth (and waistline) enjoys.

Pitaya Juice

(90 calories per 10.5oz bottle)

What is Pitaya? More commonly known as the Dragon Fruit, it is a low-calorie, low sugar, superfruit that is packed with antioxidants and fiber (and currently the lowest sugar juice on the shelves at Whole Foods Market!). The juice is blended with a touch of lemon and coconut water as well, making it not only super nutritious, but extremely hydrating as well. It is also perfect for kids because it has all the nutrition, and barely any sugar!

Just Chill Drink

(50 calories per 8.4oz can)

Just Chill, the all-natural stress relief beverage, is just what the busy body needs: relaxation. Instead of the hopped up energy drinks that make you crash and burn and made up of unhealthy ingredients, Just Chill provides focus and function with a tropical twist (also, it doubles as a great drink mixer ;)!

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Happy eating and celebrating folks! Remember, everything is fine in moderation, as long as you balance the “treats” with the “healthy eats”!

***Giveaway***

Congrats - clc408!

Perdue wants to give one of my readers a chance to try their new line of Simply Smart Chicken this Thanksgiving by giving away a coupon to try a package for free! (ARV: $10).

There are THREE ways to enter
1. REQUIRED: In my comments section, tell me how you like to indulge during Thanksgiving. Also please include your email address so I can contact you if you win!
2. Follow Finance Foodie on Twitter (leave separate comment telling me this)
3. Reblog / Retweet this giveaway (leave separate comment telling me this)

Contest ends Monday, November 14, 2011 at 5pm EST. Winners will be chosen via random integer generator on random.org announced on the financefoodie.com site shortly afterwards that night!

Full Disclosure: The  prize pack has been provided by Perdue.  As part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program, I received a jar of Classico to sample. I was not compensated for this post.