The healthiest holiday cocktails for Christmas – and the worst

Whether Christmas brings you warm feelings of joy or hair-pulling stress levels that need to be numbed, no one can be faulted for enjoying the holidays.

But some of the most classic yuletide drinks are a little dirtier—and more delicious—than others, according to Amy Shapiro, a registered dietitian and nutritionist in New York.

As with any alcohol, moderation is key – and if you only drink these a few times a year, you’re unlikely to do much harm.

But if December is the season of overindulgence for you, you may want to choose drinks that are less likely to cause harm.

Some classic holiday cocktails have some hidden health benefits, while others are heavy on calories and fat — but if your absolute favorite is the worst on your list, Shapiro has a few tweaks to make it a little better for you. you.

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Shapiro calls the hot toddy the healthiest holiday drink option.

“All alcohol is unhealthy, but with that said, if any of these were to be consumed throughout the year, I would suggest the hot toddy,” she told The Post.

It’s made with just spices, lemon, honey and liquor, which Shapiro says are “whole, simple ingredients,” and it’s also low in calories and has no saturated fat.

And it actually has some health advantages: “Lemon is a great source of vitamin C, which is great for immunity, skin health and liver support. Cinnamon can aid in weight loss, sweetens without calories, and balances blood sugar levels.”

Although honey has several health benefits—it’s anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant, and studies show it can reduce heart disease and soothe gastro—” Shapiro notes that it’s also an added sugar, which means more calories and a higher risk of a hangover. But, she adds, this makes the drink customizable, and you can simply cut back on the amount of honey you pour.

Boiled wine

The second healthiest option is mulled wine, usually made with red wine, brandy, sugar or honey, orange and spices like cloves and cinnamon.

“This is better than the others because of the limited amount of sugar and how it can be adjusted. There’s no saturated fat in this recipe and there are some fresh ingredients like oranges and spices,” Shapiro said. Plus, “cloves are powerful digestive aids, rich in cancer-fighting antioxidants, and help prevent bad breath. of the mouth and reduce inflammation”.

She recommends making yours with organic dry wine, which has antioxidants and no added sugar.

Hot Buttered Rum

Landing in the middle of the list is hot buttered rum, which Shapiro says isn’t good for your health—though you could do worse.

“Mixing sugar, butter and alcohol has no health benefits,” she said. “With the addition of butter, it will help prevent blood sugar spikes – but this cocktail isn’t the worst or the best.”

Butter is high in saturated fat, which can increase bad cholesterol and the risk of heart disease. But in moderation, it can also be a source of calcium, vitamins and beta-carotene, which helps your body with vitamin A and can lower the risk of lung cancer and prostate cancer.

Egg itself

It’s best to keep eggs fairly limited this time of year, as Shapiro says it’s one of the unhealthiest beverage choices.

“Eggs are unhealthy for several reasons: They’re high in fat and saturated fat, which is the kind that clogs your arteries and can raise cholesterol and your risk of heart disease,” she warned.

“It also contains eggs, so for those who make it at home there may be a risk of foodborne illness. Finally, it’s also high in sugar, making this a decadent treat.”

A small serving also usually contains hundreds of calories – but if you only enjoy it once or twice a year, you don’t have much to worry about.

Spiked Hot Chocolate

It’s no wonder that a spiked hot chocolate is a holiday cocktail staple. Although there are many ways to make it, the most delicious versions are usually a mixture of heavy cream, hot cocoa and Kahlúa – and don’t forget the whipped cream on top.

“What makes it unhealthy is milk or heavy cream, hot cocoa which is high in sugar, and Kahlúa, which itself contains 11g of carbs/sugar per serving,” Shapiro said.

It’s also a drink that people are more likely to drink more often — including after the holidays, which can cause those calories and saturated fat to add up.

The one with the head? “Cocoa, depending on the brand and how dark it is, contains antioxidants and may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.”

If you want to indulge in this treat more often, Shapiro suggests a few tweaks to make it healthier. First, swap milk or heavy cream for an unsweetened plant-based milk like almond. Choose cocoa powder instead of hot chocolate mix and add dark chocolate chips and cinnamon. To sweeten it, try monk fruit or stevia drops.

You can also make it a Mexican hot chocolate with some cayenne and either mezcal or organic tequila, which a gastroenterologist says is the healthiest drink.

“First, [tequila and mezcal] are different from other alcohols in that they are stimulants instead of depressants, which can help your mood,” Shapiro said. “Second, they’re made from 100% agave, which is rich in antioxidants and contains a fiber called inulin, which can help with digestion and gut health. They’re also sugar-free and lower in calories.”