The holidays are not just a time for family and friends, but one of the times when food plays an important part in the celebrations, with special holiday foods and drinks that we all love to have. Delicious dinners, tasty appetizers, and all those delicious desserts are just as much a part of the holidays as decorations and gifts. And this time of year everyone (even those of us who tend to eat healthy) are in the mood for a little indulgence.

A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that most of us will gain about a pound between Thanksgiving dinner and New Year’s celebrations.

Sure, that doesn’t sound like much, but research also finds that this extra weight never goes away again.

So to help you keep your calorie intake in check, we’ve rounded up eight healthier options for the traditional Christmas treats we all enjoy.

1) Cheese Straws are made from a block of cheddar cheese combined with flour and as much as a full cup of butter. You’re better off having pretzels, popcorn, or some whole grain chips and dip.

2) Swedish meatballs are a delicious appetizer but at a whopping 300 calories (just under half the fat) and include white bread, butter, heavy cream, and salt-laden beef broth. Choose a handful of shrimp cocktail mixed nuts, or use some of the lighter recipes available.

3) Eggnog doesn’t have any redeeming nutritional aspects, and it’s easy to see why with things like sugar, eggs, whipped cream, and bourbon. Instead, choose drinks like hot chocolate or spiced cider. You can also try lighter versions of this holiday favorite if you simply have to indulge, and remember to watch out for potion sizes.

4) Stuffed potatoes, while high in vitamin C and fiber, when loaded with cheese, sour cream, and butter take a good thing to a bad place. To make them healthier, use low-fat dairy, add onions or spinach, and try turkey bacon or herbs for extra flavor.

5) Creamed Spinach is another case of the holidays taking a healthy vegetable and adding cream, butter, and cheese to create a dish with more than 75% of your saturated fat for the day. Use low-fat milk and low-fat cream cheese in place of the cream when making this dish to save calories.

6) Pot roast is a popular and delicious part of the festivities, but even lean versions of this meat contain 7 grams of saturated fat. Add to that the calories of gravity and you can see the trouble begin. Consider lean beef tenderloin or the white meat of a turkey for healthier options.

7) Fruitcake does have fruit, but it also includes a lot of butter, sugar, and corn syrup, so you’d actually be better off eating a slice of pumpkin pie (about 250 calories per slice). If this is your favorite, consider some lighter recipes and watch your portion sizes.

8) Pecan pie focuses on nuts, which are a high-calorie nut on their own, and then sugar, butter, and corn syrup are added to create a dessert where a single slice will provide over 500 calories. , 20 grams of fat and 30 grams of sugar. Try lighter cakes instead: apple, sweet potato, or pear and blueberry versions.

And if you can’t resist your favorite calorie-laden holiday food and drink, try controlling your portion size. A single piece of pecan pie or half a loaded baked potato are ways to indulge in rich flavor, without all the calories and pounds that won’t be easily shed later.