What Do You Know About Holiday Sweets and Treats?

Although palm oil contains no cholesterol, it is high in saturated fatty acids. These fatty acids can raise your level of LDL ("bad") cholesterol, which increases your risk of heart disease.

As a hard candy, candy canes are the best of the lot when it comes to fat—because they don't have any! Of the rest on the list, a small slice of any of them would be acceptable, if your diet permits.

The American Heart Association (AHA) and other health groups recommend getting no more than 35 percent of your daily calories from fats. They also say you should limit your intake of saturated fat to less than 7 percent of your daily calories.

Yes, some margarine contains trans fatty acids, which raise your blood cholesterol in the same way that saturated fats do. But margarine contains NO cholesterol itself; butter is rich in both cholesterol and saturated fat. Because of that, the AHA says that margarine is still preferable to butter. Pick a tub margarine that has no trans fat, no more than 2 grams of saturated fat per tablespoon, and lists liquid vegetable oil as its first ingredient.

It's better to cut back on both. If possible, replace the butter with a margarine low in saturated and trans fat. Keep in mind that some margarines used for baking will produce more acceptable results than others.

If Nicole's fruitcake has a label, then definitely read it for nutrition information. Whatever the fat content of the fruitcake, however, you're always better off taking a small slice rather than a large one. (As for answer c, if you can't stand fruitcake, you might offer it to a friend rather than throwing it away.)

None of these answers will cut back on the fat.

None of these answers will cut back on the fat, but the best approach is moderation: Eat only one doughnut.

Can you say pina colada? Or, how about Irish coffee? Yes, some alcoholic drinks DO have fat and/or sugar. And even if you choose one that doesn't, drink in moderation. Don't overindulge, and DON'T drink and drive.