I’m a dietician – here are 5 surprisingly unhealthy Christmas foods that I’ll be avoiding this holiday season
If you're on a weight-loss diet or on a health kick, you're probably trying to avoid Christmas sweets and buttery mashed potatoes this holiday season.
But now dietitians have recommended avoiding some other festive favorites that you wouldn't have considered unhealthy.
Nutritionists have listed crackers, smoked fish and even processed meats as foods to avoid.
With many of these products, the problem is sodium, which can lead to cardiovascular problems, including high blood pressure, a leading cause of heart attack.
Nutritionists across the US have weighed in on the foods to avoid for the holidays – and some of which you wouldn't suspect were unhealthy
For example, smoked salmon or Lox contains about 700 milligrams of sodium in just 100 grams; almost half of what the American Heart Association suggests people should eat in a day.
Meanwhile, seven slices of salami will take you to the expert-recommended limit of 1,500 milligrams per day.
Lauren Au, professor of nutritional sciences at the University of California, Davis, told us NBC she cooks at home and doesn't go to restaurants where a significant amount of sodium is added to food.
She adds, “I also have young children. So when they are first exposed to food, you want to reduce the amount of sodium as they develop their taste preferences.
Salted and smoked fish like Lox can contain up to half your daily intake of sodium – which is linked to heart problems
“When I cook, I try to limit it, if I don't have much sodium at all, and then add it to taste after it's cooked.”
Instead of processed meat, Au recommends using fresh seafood, chicken and tofu.
As for the crackers, it's easy to eat a lot without thinking, increasing your calorie intake even more.
Some of the products nutritionists are avoiding are a little more expected, such as carbonated, sugary drinks like cola and alcoholic drinks like seltzers.
Jaimie Davis, a registered dietitian and professor of nutrition sciences at the University of Texas at Austin, says she avoids soft drinks and even sports drinks.
For “something special,” she recommends adding fruits and herbs such as strawberries and basil to sparkling water.
And if you want something alcoholic, Davis recommends mixing sparkling water with a splash of liquor and garnishing with fruit like raspberries or pomegranate seeds.
Research among adults in 185 countries has found that those who drink a lot of carbonated, sugary drinks are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, cancer and tooth decay.
However, other nutritionists told NBC that avoiding certain foods isn't always the right approach.
Laura Bellows, an associate professor of nutritional sciences at Cornell University, said she takes a “moderation is key” approach and follows dietary guidelines set by the Department of Agriculture.
“There is no bad food, only bad quantities,” she said.