Advertisement
  • Newsletters
  • Subscribe
Diet

Seven low-calorie substitutions for holiday indulgences

Follow our guide and discover the healthier (just as tasty!) substitutions for all of your feast-day faves.
By Gillian Berner & Madeline Cravit; Consulting experts Debra Boutin & Rebecca Preszler
Roast beef, turkey, holiday meals, platters

Clean up the classics

Roast beef (75g) vs Turkey breast (75g)

Have your cake—and eat it, too! You don't have to miss out on your favourite holiday indulgences. Follow our guide and discover the healthier (just as tasty!) substitutions for all of your feast-day faves.
rnrnRoast beef = 158 calories, 7g fat
rnrnTurkey breast = 119 calories, 2g fat

Roast beef, turkey, holiday meals, platters

Instant gravy (100 mL) vs Tangy cranberry sauce (100 mL)

Instant gravy = 166 calories, 6g fat
rnrnTangy cranberry sauce = 122 calories, 0g fat

Gravy, gravy boat, cranberries, jar

Salted mixed nuts (handful) vs Wasabi peas (handful)

Salted mixed nuts = 344 calories, 30g fat
rnrnWasabi peas = 80 calories, 3g fat

Salted nuts, wasabi peas

Red wine (5 oz) vs Red-wine spritzer (4 oz wine, 2 oz soda water)

Red wine = 127 calories, 0g fat
rnrnRed-wine spritzer = 106 calories, 0g fat

Advertisement
Wines, red wine, spritzer, wine glasses

Cheese (2 oz) and crackers (5) vs Pita wedges (4) with hummus (1 oz)

Cheese and crackers = 290 calories, 22g fat
rnrnPita wedges and hummus = 140 calories, 1g fat

Cheese and crackers, hummus and pita wedges

Shortbread (4 oz) vs Gingerbread (4 oz)

Shortbread = 560 calories, 35g fat
rnrnGingerbread = 308 calories, 10g fat

Shortbread cookies, gingerbread man cookie

Chocolate kisses (1 oz) vs Candy cane (1)

Chocolate kisses = 200 calories, 12g fat
rnrnCandy cane = 45 calories, 0g fat

chocolate kiss and candy cane

The very best of Chatelaine straight to your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Copy link
The cover of the Chatelaine Summer 2025 issue, featuring a pink drink with a paper straw.

Subscribe to Chatelaine!

In our Summer 2025 issue, we get real about what sex is like after 40. Plus, living together after divorce, our favourite beauty products of the year and 17 incredibly summery recipes, from ceviche to sour cherry cobbler.