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Halloween marks the beginning of a two-month season packed with parties and desserts—now that's scary for anyone who is trying to manage his or her weight. Beyond the fun-size (and therefore calorie-controlled) candies of Halloween, several fall treats are big calorie bombs. Be on the lookout for these surprisingly high-cal foods, which can add up fast if you let your guard down. Pumpkin Flavored Baked Goods Pumpkin itself is a healthful food. Plain pumpkin puree contains a dose of vitamin A and fiber for a small amount of calories. But pair it with sugar, cream cheese frosting, shortening and butter and you’ve got a high-cal treat dressed in a healthy-looking orange outfit. Restaurants and coffee shops are the biggest villains, promoting their pumpkin scones, muffins, donuts and breads, which can contain up to 630 calories per serving. Don't let "low-fat" versions trick your either; low-fat is not the same thing as low-calorie. Your best bet is to avoid all of these pumpkin treats, unless you look up the nutrition facts before you bite and decide that it can fit into your day. Homemade treats, frequents at parties and offices, aren't necessarily better either, so be careful! TRICK: You can bake your own pumpkin treats using less sugar and fat, plus whole-grain goodness. Use a mini muffin tin to help with keep your portions in check and steer clear of these seasonal baked goods! Continued › |
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Nutrition Articles › Seasonal & Holiday TipsThe 4 Most Fattening Fall FoodsWatch Out for These Sneaky Calories!-- By Sarah Haan, Registered DietitianSparkPeople advertisers help keep the site free! Learn more
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Sarah Haan
Sarah is a registered dietitian with a bachelor's degree in dietetics. She helps individuals adopt healthy lifestyles and manage their weight. An avid exerciser and cook, Sarah likes to run, lift weights and eat good food. See all of Sarah's articles. |
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Member Comments
I love apple and pumpkin anything esp. this time of year. This morning I made Pumpkin Muffins by mixing a Carrot Cake Mix and a 15 oz can of pumpkin. Add as much cinnamon and/ or nutmeg as you enjoy. I couldn't believe how easy. I made 12 muffins at 155 calories each. Because they are not as high as I would like in certain categories of nutrition, I consider these an occasional treat. - 10/10/2011 7:30:23 PM
It really is about quantity/calories - but sometimes homemade versions can cut the calories and if you eat those sensibly you can lose a lot of weight whilst not denying yourself anything, adding healthful vitamins and minerals into your foods and avoiding whatever preservatives the shop bought items have.
- 10/10/2011 6:15:34 AM