Top Ten Most Fattening Holiday Foods

Around the world, food is synonymous with the holidays. Traditional foods connect us to our past, comfort us in the present and are a legacy for future generations. Holiday foods are often deeply rooted within our culture and are made from delicious ingredients reserved for special occasions. These are ten of the most fattening holiday foods. Photo: Getty Images

Turkey with Gravy

American history books tell us that the Thanksgiving feast in 1621 celebrated the Pilgrims first successful harvest. Almost 400 years later, we still celebrate the last Thursday in November with an abundant meal. One of the top most fattening foods is turkey with gravy. A six ounce serving of white and dark turkey meat has 450 calories. The calorie count soars once you add gravy rich in butter or turkey drippings, flour and maybe, giblets. Photo: Getty Image-8h

Pecan Pie

This decadent dessert graces many holiday feasts. A traditional Southern pie of eggs, butter, sugar, dark brown corn syrup and pecans has more calories per slice than pumpkin or apple pies. One slice of pecan pie has 500 calories. Photo: Getty Images

Roast Prime Rib of Beef

Prime rib of beef is a delicious but fatty cut of meat often served at holiday meals and parties. The marbleized fat in prime rib adds to the flavor and tenderness of this specific cut. The fatty drippings are used to make Yorkshire pudding, a traditional British accompaniment. A 3 ½ ounce serving of untrimmed roasted prime rib has 360 calories and 70 percent of your daily value of saturated fat. Photo: Getty Images

Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream

What says Thanksgiving dessert better than pumpkin pie with whipped cream on top? Maybe apple pie with vanilla ice cream. Either way, you will get at least 250 calories with a slice of pie. Whether you like a dollop or scoop of whipped cream or ice cream, this traditional holiday dessert ranks high on the list of fattening foods. Photo: Getty Images

Eggnog

Eggnog tops the list of fattening holiday beverages. One cup of this delicious concoction of eggs, sugar, milk and heavy cream delivers 325 calories. The culprits in this mainstay of holiday drinks are fat from the heavy cream and milk along with sugar. Commercially prepared eggnog usually derives its sweetness from corn syrup Photo: Getty Images

Candied Yams with Marshmallows

A favorite and classic holiday side dish is candied yams or sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows. Yams and sweet potatoes are great sources of beta-carotene but this healthy vegetable tips the scale for fat and calories once you add the butter, brown sugar and marshmallows. Photo: Getty Images

Roast Goose

The holiday goose may conjure memories of Charles Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol”. As tempting as this succulent bird may be with its crispy skin, a 3 ½ ounce serving of roast goose with skin on is 305 calories. Even though no one really pays much attention to portion control during a holiday meal, remember that a roast goose makes the list of top fattening foods. Photo: Getty Images

Christmas Pudding

A Christmas pudding is a traditional British dessert. The classic ingredients are suet, sugar, nuts and candied fruits. Seasoned with spices and combined with flour and eggs, the Christmas pudding is stirred then steamed. It is reheated and served with brandy or rum sauce, brandy butter or custard. It is one of the most fattening holiday desserts. Photo: Getty Images

Latkes

Latkes are a traditional part of the celebration of Chanukkah, the Festival of Lights. The basic ingredients include grated potatoes and onions seasoned with salt and pepper with egg to bind. A few tablespoons of flour are added to the mix. Molded into small pancakes, this holiday treat is fried in oil. Just one crispy and delicious latke has 200 calories. Photo: Getty Images

Cocktail Buffet Hors d'Oeuvres

Most hors d'oeuvres offered at a cocktail party buffet are very fattening. Though size can be deceptive, some of these small morsels have a lot of calories. One culprit is the bacon-wrapped shrimp. Just one has 100 calories. A mini-quiche made with bacon or ham, cheese and eggs has 90 calories. Be wary of the cheese ball. Made with cream cheese and other delectable ingredients, this party classic delivers a lot of calories. Photo: Getty Images

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Top Ten Most Fattening Holiday Foods