{"id":419072,"date":"2025-12-02T08:19:26","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T08:19:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/419072\/"},"modified":"2025-12-02T08:19:26","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T08:19:26","slug":"is-eggnog-bad-for-you-a-dietitian-explains-pros-and-cons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/419072\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Eggnog Bad For You? A Dietitian Explains Pros and Cons"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"1\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">Every December, the dairy aisle gets a festive makeover. Tucked between the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prevention.com\/food-nutrition\/a61742039\/is-almond-milk-good-for-you\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.prevention.com\/food-nutrition\/a61742039\/is-almond-milk-good-for-you\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"almond milk\" data-node-id=\"1.1\" class=\"body-link css-inlxvj emevuu60\" rel=\"noopener\">almond milk<\/a> and coffee creamer, cartons of rich, creamy, nutmeg-spiced eggnog make their annual appearance. For many, it\u2019s the ultimate holiday flavor, bringing back memories of cozy nights by the fire and family celebrations. But for those trying to stick to a certain eating plan, you may wonder: is eggnog bad for you?<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"2\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">We hear it every year: it\u2019s packed with sugar; it\u2019s heavy. But is it really the holiday villain it\u2019s made out to be? As a dietitian, I like to take a more balanced approach. Let\u2019s break down what\u2019s actually in your glass, talk about safety, and add it to your holiday menu.<\/p>\n<p>Eggnog nutrition<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"4\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">To understand eggnog, you have to look at its traditional ingredients: eggs, cream, milk, sugar, and spices. It is essentially a liquid custard. Because it relies heavily on cream and sugar for that luxurious texture, it is naturally energy-dense.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"6\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\"><a href=\"https:\/\/fdc.nal.usda.gov\/food-details\/171258\/nutrients\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/fdc.nal.usda.gov\/food-details\/171258\/nutrients\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"According to the United States Department of Agriculture\" data-node-id=\"6.0\" class=\"body-link css-inlxvj emevuu60\" rel=\"noopener\">According to the United States Department of Agriculture<\/a>, one cup (8 fluid ounces) of standard, non-alcoholic eggnog contains approximately:<\/p>\n<ul data-node-id=\"7\" class=\"css-kw9lqy emevuu60\">\n<li data-node-id=\"7.0\">Calories: 223<\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"7.1\">Protein: 9 g<\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"7.2\">Fat: 11 g (with about 7 grams being saturated fat)<\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"7.3\">Carbohydrates: 20 g<\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"7.4\">Sugar: 20 g<\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"7.5\">Cholesterol: 149 mg<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"8\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">It is worth noting that these numbers are for the store-bought variety without alcohol. If you are pouring a heavy hand of bourbon, rum, or brandy, the calorie count climbs. A shot of alcohol can easily <a href=\"https:\/\/fdc.nal.usda.gov\/food-details\/2710699\/nutrients\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/fdc.nal.usda.gov\/food-details\/2710699\/nutrients\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"add another 100 calories\" data-node-id=\"8.3\" class=\"body-link css-inlxvj emevuu60\" rel=\"noopener\">add another 100 calories<\/a>, bringing a single mug closer to the 350-calorie mark.<\/p>\n<p>Eggnog health benefits<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"10\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">Nutrition is so much more than calories, fat, and sugar, though. Because it is dairy-based, eggnog does offer nutrients found in regular dairy milk, like calcium, potassium, protein, and vitamins A and D. And it\u2019s packed with protein.<\/p>\n<p>Food safety: The raw egg question<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"12\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">If you are buying your eggnog from the supermarket, safety is rarely a concern. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fsis.usda.gov\/food-safety\/safe-food-handling-and-preparation\/eggs\/egg-products-and-food-safety\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.fsis.usda.gov\/food-safety\/safe-food-handling-and-preparation\/eggs\/egg-products-and-food-safety\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Commercial eggnog is pasteurized\" data-node-id=\"12.1\" class=\"body-link css-inlxvj emevuu60\" rel=\"noopener\">Commercial eggnog is pasteurized<\/a>, meaning it has been heat-treated to kill harmful bacteria like Salmonella. You can sip those cartons with peace of mind.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"13\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">The real caution applies to homemade recipes. Traditionalists often insist on using raw eggs to achieve that perfect, frothy texture. While it might taste authentic, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fsis.usda.gov\/food-safety\/safe-food-handling-and-preparation\/eggs\/egg-products-and-food-safety\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.fsis.usda.gov\/food-safety\/safe-food-handling-and-preparation\/eggs\/egg-products-and-food-safety\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"consuming raw eggs does carry a food safety risk\" data-node-id=\"13.1\" class=\"body-link css-inlxvj emevuu60\" rel=\"noopener\">consuming raw eggs does carry a food safety risk<\/a>, especially for young children, the elderly, pregnant people, or anyone with a compromised immune system\u2014all something to consider before going the DIY route.<\/p>\n<p>How to make a \u201clighter\u201d eggnog <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"15\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">Maybe looking at the saturated fat content in eggnog gives you pause, or perhaps you just want a lightened-up version. You don\u2019t have to banish eggnog\u2019s flavor entirely. There are plenty of \u201cbetter-for-you\u201d alternatives that capture the essence of the season without the heaviness.<\/p>\n<p>1. The \u201ccut\u201d method<\/p>\n<ol data-node-id=\"17\" class=\"css-kw9lqy emevuu60\"\/>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"18\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">This is the oldest trick in the dietitian\u2019s handbook (at least during the holiday season). Mix half a glass of traditional eggnog with half a glass of skim milk. You still get the creamy texture and the specific spice profile, but you limit the fat and calories found in this classic drink. It will make the beverage thinner, but the flavor will be there.<\/p>\n<p>2. Low-fat or \u201clight\u201d versions<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"20\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">Most major dairy brands offer a lower-fat version (one of my favorites is <a href=\"https:\/\/instacart.oloiyb.net\/c\/3006986\/413183\/7412?subId1=pvn&amp;subId3=xid:{xid}&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instacart.com%2Fproducts%2F30512686-organic-valley-eggnog-reduced-fat-1-qt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.instacart.com\/products\/30512686-organic-valley-eggnog-reduced-fat-1-qt?\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Organic Valley\u2019s version\" data-vars-ga-product-id=\"f5044227-27cc-4adb-8c92-76ec9ed9acf9\" data-node-id=\"20.1\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.instacart.com\/products\/30512686-organic-valley-eggnog-reduced-fat-1-qt?\" data-product-url=\"https:\/\/www.instacart.com\/products\/30512686-organic-valley-eggnog-reduced-fat-1-qt?\" data-affiliate=\"true\" data-affiliate-url=\"https:\/\/instacart.oloiyb.net\/c\/3006986\/413183\/7412?subId1=pvn&amp;subId3=xid:{xid}&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instacart.com%2Fproducts%2F30512686-organic-valley-eggnog-reduced-fat-1-qt\" data-affiliate-network=\"{&quot;afflink_redirect&quot;:&quot;\/_p\/afflink\/zx7j\/instacart-s-s-12686-organic-valley-eggnog-reduced-fat-1-qt&quot;,&quot;site_id&quot;:&quot;d55f98dc-cbd6-4679-ae11-243969f8c772&quot;,&quot;network&quot;:{&quot;name&quot;:&quot;Trackonomics&quot;},&quot;metadata&quot;:{&quot;trackonomics&quot;:{&quot;network_name&quot;:&quot;ir&quot;}},&quot;product_metadata&quot;:{&quot;d55f98dc-cbd6-4679-ae11-243969f8c772&quot;:{&quot;network_name&quot;:&quot;ir&quot;,&quot;link&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/instacart.oloiyb.net\/c\/3006986\/413183\/7412?subId1={subid}&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instacart.com%2Fproducts%2F30512686-organic-valley-eggnog-reduced-fat-1-qt&quot;}}}\" data-vars-ga-product-price=\"$0.00\" data-vars-ga-product-retailer-id=\"ebfc1361-4aa2-463f-9eda-49483731195f\" data-vars-ga-link-treatment=\"(not set) | (not set)\" class=\"body-link product-links css-inlxvj e1aq0z090\">Organic Valley\u2019s version<\/a>). They are a good middle ground if you want the real dairy taste with fewer calories.<\/p>\n<p>3. DIY smoothie<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"22\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">For a nutritious breakfast that tastes like dessert, blend a frozen banana, a scoop of vanilla protein powder, a cup of milk, a splash of vanilla extract, and a generous shake of nutmeg and cinnamon. It hits all the traditional eggnog flavor notes but fuels your morning.<\/p>\n<p>4. Skip the booze<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"24\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">One of the easiest ways to modify the nutritional profile of your eggnog is to reconsider adding alcohol. Traditional recipes often call for heavy pours of dark liquor, which not only increases the caloric load but also impacts other bodily systems. <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"25\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">Skipping the alcohol, a.k.a. enjoying a \u201cmocktail nog,\u201d is a completely valid and delicious option. The rich flavor comes from the nutmeg, vanilla, and custard base, not the rum. <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"26\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">If you do choose to imbibe, consider measuring your pour rather than eyeballing it, or alternating your eggnog with a glass of sparkling water.<\/p>\n<p>The bottom line<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"28\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">So, is eggnog \u201cbad\u201d for you? It\u2019s true that eggnog is rich, sweet, and indulgent. It\u2019s not exactly a \u201chealth\u201d drink, and it\u2019s probably not something you want to sip on all month long. But one glass at a holiday party isn\u2019t going to derail your health or goals for most people. If you\u2019re unsure about how it fits into your diet, it\u2019s always a good idea to check with your healthcare provider for personalized advice, as certain health conditions may require extra caution.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"29\" class=\"css-6wxqfj emevuu60\">That said, a little moderation goes a long way. A smaller portion is enough to enjoy the creamy texture and festive spices without feeling like you\u2019ve overdone it. You can even opt for a lighter version if you prefer, or go for a \u201cmock-nog\u201d without the booze. With a bit of balance, there\u2019s no reason this holiday classic can\u2019t stay on your menu. <br data-node-id=\"29.1\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Related Stories<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Every December, the dairy aisle gets a festive makeover. Tucked between the almond milk and coffee creamer, cartons&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":419073,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[2874,196098,1201,3181,210,2875,1182,196097,67,132,68],"class_list":{"0":"post-419072","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nutrition","8":"tag-content-type-how-to-service","9":"tag-contentid-fc64605f-819b-444d-80bb-932fdb8fbfef","10":"tag-displaytype-standard-article","11":"tag-hasproduct-true","12":"tag-health","13":"tag-locale-us","14":"tag-nutrition","15":"tag-shorttitle-is-eggnog-bad-for-you-a-dietitian-weighs-in","16":"tag-united-states","17":"tag-unitedstates","18":"tag-us"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115648997971344237","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/419072","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=419072"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/419072\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/419073"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=419072"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=419072"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=419072"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}