A decadent concoction of cream and milk along with eggs, sugar and nutmeg -- it’s easy to see how the calories and fat in eggnog can soar. Commonly spiked with rum, brandy or whiskey, the “adult version” will pack in even more calories (about 100 for every shot of booze).

You’ll find festive cartons of chilled nog in the refrigerator section of the grocery store from Halloween through New Years. Made with the typical ingredients (minus the alcohol), you’ll also find thickeners and stabilizers, artificial colors and flavors; some are also sweetened with high fructose corn syrup. One-half cup typically has 170 calories and 8 grams of fat.

Making your own eggnog will spare you the additives found in store-bought varieties but a traditional recipe will be similar in calories and fat. You can lighten things up using low fat dairy products and going light on the sugar. Low calorie flavorings like orange zest, vanilla and cinnamon can also give your homemade eggnog a boost.

Bottom Line: Make your own eggnog so you can control the quality and the amount of the ingredients – especially the high calorie ones.