Fall Swaps for a Healthier Season

4. Apple Fritters

Because they’re deep fried, apple fritters are one of the worst possible donut choices out there. A single apple fritter from Dunkin Donuts is 420 calories and 19 grams of fat. Still, they pop up at local pumpkin patches and outdoor fall festivals everywhere. Don’t let their fruity name or the fact that they’re not frosted mislead you. The glaze that apple fritters are dunked in is primarily high fructose corn syrup. Instead, opt for a healthier breakfast apple treat like our homemade Air Fryer Apple Fritter recipe!

Craving more delicious apple treats? Check out these 15 apple recipes that are filled with fall flavor! You’ll love our easy and Healthy Apple Pie (no sugar added!) and Air Fryer Apple Chips. Or, get your apple fix with this delicious No Sugar Added Slow Cooker Apple Sauce.

5. Halloween Candy

Bagged candy started showing up in grocery stores in August and now seems to be everywhere. If you buy candy for trick-or-treaters in your neighborhood, fight the temptation to buy it early as you may end up snacking on it yourself. If you really need your candy fix, avoid chocolates with caramel or nougat, which tend to contain an excess of fat. Try satisfying your sweet tooth with a piece of fresh fruit. Of you must have candy, opt for the hard kinds, which deliver about 24 calories. You’ll avoid a major sugar rush! You can also whip up some healthy Halloween candy. Try these delicious 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cups or these 4-Ingredient Chocolate Raspberry Cups.

6. Caramel Apples

While they’ve long been a fall favorite, caramel apples are packed with sugar and saturated fat. You may have also caught wind of a big news story last year that unrefrigerated caramel apples—as they are often sold at festivals or when hand-dipped and given out as Halloween treats—can pose a deadly listeria risk. If caramel apples are your go-to fall treat, consider making a healthier idea like caramel yogurt dip for dunking fresh apple slices. Or satisfy your sweet tooth with one of these 17 Guilt-Free Healthy Dessert Recipes Under 200 Calories.

7. Hot Chocolate

Though hot chocolate may be the quintessential cold weather drink, it can be a sneaky fall fat trap. The problem with getting hot chocolate from your favorite coffee shop is that it comes with added syrup and whipped cream. While the cocoa powder mixes you make at home with water are typically 100 calories or less (the NESTLE Hot Cocoa Mix Rich Chocolate with Marshmallows is 80 calories per pack), when you factor in milk, syrup and whipped cream, the calorie count can seriously climb. A 12-ounce (Tall) Hot Chocolate from Starbucks (with two percent milk and whipped cream) is a whopping 320 calories and 13 grams of fat. Stick to water and cocoa powder for a low calorie, no-fat option. Or, warm up while you slim down with one of these 6 Hot Drinks for Cool Weather.

8. Comfort Foods

From chicken pot pie to hearty stews and chili, it’s worth mentioning that a common fat trap come fall is a switch from fresh summer salads to heavier, more filling dishes. While the original full-fat versions of these foods pack in a ton of calories and fat, there are many ways to make them healthier. Consider a vegetarian chili or substitute your ground beef for lean turkey like we did in this hearty and delicious Turkey Chili Recipe. Or try some of our favorite cold weather soups. If you’re on the Nutrisystem program, you can make this simple Spicy Pumpkin Soup using one of our popular Nutrisystem meals. With some simple changes you can still enjoy your favorite fall dishes and healthy fall meals for dinner or while watching the football game—but forgo the unnecessary fat and calories.

Looking to lose weight this autumn? Check out these Easy Ways To Lose Weight This Fall and learn more about the Nutrisystem plan! >

*Nutritional info taken from company websites or USDA food search database on 9/8/2016.