Thanksgiving is the start of the holiday season, and the holidays are a time of celebrating with family and friends. Of course, part of the celebration is enjoying meals together, and if you’re not careful it’s easy to pack on holiday pounds that go with you into the new year. Navigate the holidays without the weight gain by learning about a few unhealthy holiday foods you should avoid.

1 – Canned Cranberry Sauce

Canned cranberry sauce ends up on many holiday tables around Thanksgiving, and while it’s a sweet-tart favorite for many, it’s packed with sugar and calories. A single half-cup serving contains a whopping 48 grams of sugar.

The better choice is to make your own cranberry sauce or salad with fresh cranberries and sugar substitute. Add orange zest, cinnamon, or vanilla for additional sweetness.

2 – Chex Mix

One of the biggest problems with Chex Mix is that it’s so easy to eat way more than a serving size. Another problem is that it’s loaded with butter and salt. If you’re wanting a crunch snack before or after your holiday feast, stick to raw veggies.

3 – Pecan Pie

Pecan pie sounds like a good choice. After all, pecans are packed with vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. The problem is it’s usually made with sugar, corn syrup, and lots of butter. A typical slice of this pie can contain over 450 calories. If you can’t go without it, go with a tiny slice and skip the crust.

4 – Creamed Spinach

As you fill your plate during the holidays, something with spinach might seem like the healthy option. But when you take healthy spinach and combine it with cheese, cream, and butter you’ve turned it into something packed with calories and saturated fat. You can make this dish over by using low-fat milk and light cream cheese instead of the cream.

5 – Sugared Nuts

You know nuts are a healthy choice. But they’re not so great if they’re loaded with sugar. Skip any nuts that have sugar or sweet syrups on them. A handful of lightly salted nuts is a better option that gives you the nutrients from nuts without all the extra sugar.

As you enjoy your holiday and work to make healthy choices, don't forget your Prevagen supplement. It’s an easy way to boost your memory and brain health, making the holiday even brighter.