I’m a Dietitian & I Never Eat These 5 Unhealthy Holiday Foods
The streets are sparkling with twinkling lights, shops are overflowing with gift ideas, and grocery aisles are stocked with holiday baking and cooking essentials—it’s truly the most wonderful time of the year!
But with the holiday season comes a wave of rich, indulgent, and calorie-packed meals, drinks, and desserts, making it tough to stick to a balanced diet. Don’t worry, I’m not here to play the Grinch and tell you to avoid all your holiday favorites. You can absolutely enjoy them in moderation without long-term effects on your health. That said, digging into Grandma’s holiday cookies with a mug of spiked eggnog every single night in December isn’t the healthiest move.
As a dietitian, there are a few popular holiday foods I personally avoid. If these happen to be your favorites, that’s totally fine—just enjoy them mindfully, watch your portions, and balance them with healthier choices. Below, I’ve outlined five holiday foods I skip and how you can navigate this festive season a little more healthfully. Read on, and for more ways to be healthier this season, don’t miss 5 Delicious Holiday Recipes Under 500 Calories That Won’t Derail Your Weight Loss.
Holiday Cookies

Holiday cookies seem endless this time of year, and I’ll admit—there’s nothing like a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie. If you’ve ever been gifted a box of cookies or stood around the dessert table long enough, you know how hard it is to just eat one.
However, pounding back multiple cookies in one sitting can have you toppling over the daily recommended amount for added sugar and saturated fat, leading to blood sugar spikes and putting your cholesterol at risk.