Health Tip: Make Holiday Beverages Healthier

(HealthDay News) -- The holidays are rich with family, fun and food, which often includes high-calorie, high-fat drinks.

The American Heart Association suggests how to make holiday beverages healthier:

• If you're serving eggnog, cut the calories with equal parts eggnog and skim milk.
• Leave out the alcohol and skip the whipped cream to save even more calories.
• Cut the fat in hot chocolate by making with skim milk and skipping the whipped cream.
• Take it easy on toppings for hot chocolate.
• When it comes to apple cider, opt for sugar-free or low-sugar products.
• Make apple cider yourself with low-sugar apple juice and spices -- such as nutmeg, cloves, cranberries or cinnamon sticks.