10 Holiday Party-Food Dilemmas, Solved

Cocoa or Eggnog?

The Better Choice: Cocoa

Eggnog and cocoa that is made with real milk both have lots of calcium, about 300 milligrams in eight ounces. But eggnog, as the name implies, also contains eggs and sometimes heavy cream and brandy, which translates into about 300 calories and 12 grams of fat in a five-ounce serving. "Cocoa, even when it's made with whole milk, has only half the calories of eggnog," says registered dietitian Kristine Clark. Cocoa also contains potent antioxidants called flavonoids that help prevent arteries from clogging and keep blood platelets from sticking together.

But… Most cocoa is the instant variety, which contains less protein, calcium, and flavonoids and more sodium and sugar than homemade.