I love to bake Christmas cookies for the holidays.  The problem is, I also love to eat them. Having tins full of fresh, homemade cookies in the house is often more than my will power can withstand, and I end up eating far more sugar and calories than I can really afford to. A couple of years ago, I simply opted out of baking. Although I did end up eating a lot fewer cookies that year, it felt a little Grinchy. This year, I have a different strategy for healthy cookie snacks and how not to overeat.

First, instead of making six or eight different kinds of cookies, I’m narrowing my selection to three family favorites. Researcher Dr. Barbara Rolls, who  specializes in nutrition and behavioral health, has found that the more variety we have, the more we tend to eat. If you typically bake lots of different kinds of cookies, consider making just a few this year. You can always choose a different selection next year.

Then, dress up your cookie platter by adding a festive assortment of healthy treats: colorful dried fruits, fragrant clementines, and whole nuts in the shell—along with Grandma’s silver nutcracker, of course. Not only does it make a gorgeous, centerpiece-worthy display, but having some lighter, healthier options along with the cookies seems to encourage moderation—without any feeling of deprivation.

Do you have other tricks for surviving cookie mania? Please, post them below!

Browse here for holiday cookie recipes that are destined to become new family favorites.

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Categories: Real Healthy | Tags: Christmas Cookies, Cookies, Healthy Cookie Snacks
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