13 Recipes for Holiday Enthusiasts Who Can’t Get Enough of Eggnog  (2024)

FAQs

Why should you not drink a lot of eggnog? ›

Traditionally made with eggs, cream, milk, and sugar, no one would say that eggnog is a healthy drink. Even a small serving can pack significant amounts of calories, fat, saturated fat, and added sugars. And then there's the fact that homemade eggnog made with raw eggs can be a food-poisoning risk.

Most commercially available eggnogs are pasteurized, so the risk of falling ill from uncooked eggs is pretty minimal. They have been cooked and held at 160 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that foodborne illnesses, such as salmonella, E. coli, listeria and campylobacter, are no longer present.

Milk, eggs, and sherry were foods of the wealthy, so eggnog was often used in toasts to prosperity and good health. Eggnog became tied to the holidays when the drink hopped the pond in the 1700s. American colonies were full of farms—and chickens and cows—and cheaper rum, a soon-signature ingredient.

“That's because all of these can compound into a difficult-to-digest situation, requiring digestive enzymes like lactase, sucrase and alcohol dehydrogenase to kick into high gear all at the same time. This could lead to gas, diarrhea, cramping or abdominal pain within 30 minutes to a few hours after drinking.”

Eggnog can be considered a higher potassium and phosphorus food. Due to these nutrients, this drink food may be limited for those with kidney disease who are on a low potassium, low phosphorus diet.

“While there are different eggnog recipes, most eggnog will typically contain high amounts of fat from cream and milk, and added sugar for sweetness,” said Cohn. The American Heart Association recommends that people consume no more than 5% to 6% of calories from saturated fat every day to support heart health.

Skip the eggnog

It can contain two things that may make you gassy: milk and alcohol. Milk is a direct source of sulfate. When you eat or drink high amounts of sulfate, the bacteria in your colon produce more gas, and it's not odorless. Alcohol can irritate your stomach, make you feel bloated, and cause discomfort.

Pasteurization is one of the keys to avoiding salmonella poisoning from eggnog. It's still a risk. England experienced an egg-related salmonella outbreakback in March. One way or another, 48 million people each year hit the foodborne illness jackpot.

Most plants keep producing eggnog through New Year's, and start dumping their unsold product in January. Although associated with the holidays, eggnog doesn't need to be seasonal. Dairy plants could produce small batches of eggnog off-season for hard-core nogheads, but they don't because it's not cost-effective.

"While culinary historians debate its exact lineage, most agree eggnog originated from the early medieval" British drink called posset, which was made with hot milk that was curdled with wine or ale and flavored with spices. In the Middle Ages, posset was used as a cold and flu remedy.

What is eggnog called in the UK? ›

Advocaat + Eggnog = Advonog The British call it Advocaat, the Americans called it Eggnog, put together we get Advonog. Turns out whatever side of the pond you're from, both are wrong. It's a Dutch alcoholic beverage made from eggs, sugar and brandy and they call it Advocatenborrel.

Culinary historians have traced the origins of egg-nog to the medieval British punch called “posset,” warm milk curdled with alcohol such as wine or beer, flavored with spices. In medieval Europe, monks added their own twist by serving posset with figs and eggs.

“Eggnog is high in calories and saturated fat because of the whole milk and heavy cream. It's also loaded with sugar,” says Christy Brissette, R.D., president of 80 Twenty Nutrition. Of course, toss in a shot of rum, and you're adding another 64 calories for a total of about 176 calories per serving.

Beverages such as soda, punch and eggnog contain high amounts of sugar, which will also raise your blood glucose. To ensure you're staying hydrated while also keeping blood sugar levels in mind, choose water, herbal tea, coffee or diet soft drinks.

The spices can be anti-inflammatory- Eggnog commonly contains nutmeg, which has anti-inflammatory antioxidants. Downing a glass of it isn't the same as popping an Advil, but it's something. And now for the downside- Any health benefits in eggnog are undone by the alcohol, according to registered dietitianLiz Weinandy.

The role of sugar in eggnog

Sugar's addictive properties have been studied, and ice cream mix used to make eggnog contains its fair share, both from the milk sugar lactose and from added sugars.

Expired eggs and milk can grow bacteria and lead to food poisoning, which wouldn't be a holly, jolly Christmas. The Food and Drug Administration suggests consuming commercial eggnog within three to five days of opening a carton, and you should drink homemade eggnog within two to four days of making.

Here's my top 9 list of foods or drinks to absolutely try to avoid and replace with healthier options to reduce inflammatory triggers around the holidays: Eggnog- Store bought eggnog is made with heavy cream, alcohol and refined sugar ingredients – all linked to chronic inflammation.

Most are safe, but make sure it has been made with pasteurized milk and eggs. This will reduce any food safety concerns. Just keep it refrigerated. Look for the lower fat and lower sugar versions in your store, if you can find it.