Satisfy Your Holiday Ham Cravings While Keeping Calories in Check with HoneyBaked Ham Cafe’s Glazed Ham

The holidays just aren’t complete without a beautifully glazed, bone-in ham as the centerpiece of the dinner table. For many families, a highlight of festive meals is enjoying tender, savory slices of glistening ham. HoneyBaked Ham Cafe has perfected the art of holiday ham, with their famous glazed ham being a delicious staple. But if you’re watching your calories this holiday season, you may be wondering – how many calories are in HoneyBaked Ham Cafe’s glazed ham? Read on for a breakdown of the nutrition facts.

Understanding the Calorie and Nutrition Profile

HoneyBaked Ham Cafe uses a recipe of brown sugar honey, and other natural ingredients to create their signature sweet and sticky glaze that perfectly complements the smoky salty ham. According to the nutrition facts, a 3 ounce serving of their glazed ham contains approximately 125 calories.

It’s lower in fat than you may expect, with just 5 grams per serving. This includes 2 grams of saturated fat and no trans fats. At 18 grams of protein per serving, the ham provides plenty of this important nutrient for building muscle, bone strength, and keeping you feeling full.

The glazed ham contains 55 milligrams of cholesterol per serving, which is 18% of the recommended daily value. It also has a high sodium content with 1,020 milligrams per serving, making up 43% of the daily recommended sodium intake.

Rounding out the nutrition profile, the ham provides 9% of the daily value for carbs, at 3 grams per serving which comes entirely from natural sugars in the glaze.

Strategies to Enjoy HoneyBaked Ham Cafe Ham While Managing Calories

With its savory smoky flavor complemented by the sweetness of the glaze, it’s easy to overindulge in slices of HoneyBaked Ham Cafe’s famous ham. Here are some tips to enjoy this popular holiday centerpiece while keeping calories in check

• Stick to the recommended 3 ounce serving size to control portions.
• Choose a smaller cut of ham if cooking for just your immediate family to limit leftovers.
• Pair ham slices with lower calorie sides like roasted vegetables, a green salad, or fruit salad.
• Skip the candied yams and scalloped potatoes and opt for lighter options like roasted potatoes or a baked sweet potato instead.
• Watch your portions of rich sides like macaroni and cheese or cornbread dressing which can add calories quickly.
• Stay hydrated with water or unsweetened tea and limit high calorie holiday cocktails.
• Savor just one small slice of pie or other dessert instead of multiple servings.
• Bring leftovers to holiday gatherings to share rather than overindulging at home.

Health Benefits of HoneyBaked Ham Cafe Glazed Ham

While the glazed ham is high in sodium, which recommend limiting, it does provide some important nutrients:

• Protein – The 18 grams of protein per serving supports muscle growth, satiety and sustained energy levels.
• Iron – Ham contains iron to transport oxygen in the blood for energy and brain function.
• Potassium – This mineral in ham helps control blood pressure.
• Selenium – Ham is a source of antioxidant selenium to support a healthy immune system.
• Zinc – Ham provides zinc which aids immune function, cell growth, wound healing, and thyroid function.
• Vitamin B6 – Small amounts of vitamin B6 in ham help the body metabolize proteins and carbs.

So while you need to watch your portions, ham can be part of a balanced diet this holiday season.

Substituting Turkey for a Lower Calorie Option

If you love the idea of a sweet glazed holiday centerpiece but want to lighten up the calories, substituting turkey for ham is an easy swap. HoneyBaked Turkey Breast with the same signature glaze provides similar festive flavors with less fat and calories.

A 3 ounce serving of the glazed turkey breast contains just 110 calories compared to 125 calories in the glazed ham. It also has significantly less fat at 2.5 grams versus 5 grams in the ham. Plus, turkey is a lean source of protein with 18 grams per serving.

For those monitoring sodium intake, the turkey does still contain 920 milligrams per serving, so portions should be kept in check. But overall, choosing the iconic HoneyBaked turkey breast can help trim some calories off your holiday meals.

Serving Suggestions to Round Out Your Holiday Meal

A beautifully glazed HoneyBaked Ham Cafe ham or turkey deserves to be the centerpiece of your holiday table. Here are some lighter sides and appetizers to complement the main dish:

• Roasted Brussels sprouts – Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper and roast until caramelized for a flavorful low calorie vegetable side.

• Baked sweet potato – Top with cinnamon instead of butter to get fiber, vitamins, and natural sweetness for just around 100 calories.

• Waldorf salad – Toss crisp apples, celery, walnuts, and dried cranberries with a light dressing for a refreshing salad.

• Roasted root vegetables – Roast a medley of carrots, parsnips, and beets drizzled with honey for sweetness.

• Fruit salad – Mix berries, sliced citrus, pomegranate seeds, and chopped mango for a vitamin C & fiber boost.

• Deviled eggs – All the creaminess of deviled eggs but in portion controlled, protein-packed form.

HoneyBaked Ham Cafe’s famous glazed ham has become a staple holiday tradition in many households. While the savory, tender ham does need to be enjoyed in moderation, it can be part of a balanced holiday spread. A 3 ounce serving contains 125 calories and provides protein, iron, potassium and other nutrients. By controlling portions, opting for lighter sides, and substituting in turkey, you can satisfy your ham cravings and make lasting holiday memories without overdoing it on calories.