Frightning Fall Foods

Fall Diet-spoilers

When the temperature starts to dip, many of us turn to rich fall foods - perfect for football games, hayrides, cozy fireside meals, and, if we aren't careful, weight gain. Take a look at some of fall's most fattening foods. Find tips on how to avoid or improve them so you can make it to Thanksgiving without gaining a pound.

Oktoberfest Fare

Oktoberfest celebrates fall with calorie-laden beer, sausages, and potato salads. Two weight-saving tips:

• Eat smaller portions.
• Decide how many alcoholic drinks you're going to have beforehand, then alternate them with nonalcoholic beverages.

One 12-ounce regular beer has 150 calories. Make it a light beer and you'll trim 40 calories.

Cream Soups and Hearty Stews

Cream of potato soup, broccoli cheese soup, and beef stroganoff may seem like perfect fall foods, but beware. Warm soups and stews that are loaded with cream, cheese, or meat are also loaded with calories. If you serve them in a bread bowl or atop rice or noodles, you add even more calories.

Tip:Choose broth-based and vegetable-based soups and stews to fill you up for fewer calories.

Seasonal Beverages

Fall drinks — hot chocolate, pumpkin-spice lattes, eggnog, apple cider, and hot toddies — are a quick and easy way to take in lots of extra calories. A cup of homemade hot cocoa (without whipped cream) has 190 calories. One 8-oz cup of eggnog packs 340 calories.

Tips:Try a hot cup of green or flavored tea, rich with antioxidants and calorie-free. Opt for light beer or wine spritzers, and limit yourself to one or two.

Carmel Apples

An afternoon snack of apples with a thick layer of caramel and nuts can total more than 500 calories.

Tip:Enjoy crisp apple slices with a small container of low-fat caramel dip for the same great taste — with a fraction of the fat and calories.

Macaroni and Cheese

Mac and cheese is a favorite comfort food for both kids and adults. But it can wreak havoc with your diet. One cup can pack 300 to 400 calories, depending on the brand. Add sausage or ham and it's even more fattening.

Tips:Modify the recipe by using a low-fat cheese and milk. Substitute veggies for meat to get more nutrition.

It'll still taste great!

Stuffing

Most stuffing contains high-fat ingredients such as sausage and butter. With gravy, stuffing is a diet nightmare.

Tips:Make a low-fat stuffing using fruits, vegetables, and stock
Keep the portion small, and try to resist smothering it in gravy