At your next holiday party, be strategic about your snacking

Some traditional foods are essential to our personal holiday experiences, connecting us to loved ones past and present.

These should be savoured and enjoyed. But most edibles at holiday parties don’t have nearly that status, and more than one option will hit the spot no matter the craving. Choosing smartly means you get to enjoy bigger portions that are better for you. These party swaps illustrate just how much more bang for your calorie buck you can get, without sacrificing a drop of holiday spirit.

7 potato chips vs. 17 pistachios 75 calories Both bring a salty crunch by the handful, but you can have more than twice as many pistachios as potato chips for the same calories, and the nuts also have a wealth of nutrients. Plus, getting them shell-on means built-in portion control, because cracking them slows you down and the shells pile up, so you can track how many you have eaten.

1 tablespoon sour-cream-and-onion dip vs. 6 tablespoons salsa 30 calories Besides the huge portion difference per calorie, tomato-based salsas are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which might help you fight off the colds that tend to get passed around at parties this time of year. 3 tortilla chips vs. 20 pieces of crudité 60 calories Taking advantage of the cut vegetable platter means more crunchy dipping power than with chips. Health-wise, the more vegetables the better, so dipping them in salsa is doubly smart.

2 mini pigs in blankets vs. 9 jumbo cocktail shrimp 116 calories For the same calories, you get more than four times as many shrimp to leave you feeling more satisfied. Plus, the shrimp provide more protein and essential minerals, without unhealthy fat or nitrates.

1 mug eggnog with rum vs. 4 flutes champagne 380 calories One or two flutes of those tiny bubbles can make a gathering feel like a real celebration.

1 small square gingerbread cake vs. 8 small gingerbread men 260 calories Get your annual gingerbread fix strategically by going for the cookies rather than the cake.

1 cup spiced cider vs. 4 cups spiced tea with 1 teaspoon honey 80 calories There is nothing like a warm, fragrant beverage to take the chill off and bring you into the cozy zone. If you have the choice, go for an apple-cinnamon or chai spiced tea for the same effect as cider but with zero calories (without sweetener) and only 20 calories a cup with a touch of honey.

¾ cup mini pretzel twists vs. 3 cups popcorn 110 calories Popcorn is not just a fun party food but also a whole grain, and it is voluminous, so the portion size is bountiful. The equivalent in pretzels is skimpy by comparison.

1 chocolate truffle vs. 9 mini candy canes 105 calories Besides the fact that nine slow-dissolving candies will last much longer than one chocolate morsel, you can have a chocolate truffle anytime. It’s candy-cane season — make the most of it.