Before You Drink Eggnog, Read This - Consumer Reports (2024)

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Before You Drink Eggnog, Read This - Consumer Reports? ›

If you make your own, use pasteurized liquid eggs, which are sold in a carton. Or heat raw eggs (mix them with milk and stir constantly) to 160° F to kill any salmonella bacteria that may be present before adding them to your recipe. “Don't count on alcohol to kill the bacteria,” Rogers says.

“Eggnog is made with 'heavy' ingredients that, eaten in exclusion of anything else, might cause stomach distress,” registered dietitian Barbara Ruhs said. “Cream is full of fat and that takes longer to digest.

Eggnog is loaded with saturated fat and sugar. It also has a significant amount of cholesterol, which you really can't do anything about since it's from the eggs. (And without the eggs in eggnog it would just be, well, nog.)

Eggnog may not be considered a "health food," but the drink does have some nutritional benefits including certain vitamins and protein. Traditional eggnog is also high in sugar and fat, and for that reason, it's best to drink in moderation as a dessert.

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.

You can ensure that you and your guests are sipping safely, though, Rogers says. Almost all the eggnog sold in stores is pasteurized, which kills bacteria, but he says to be sure to check that the carton or bottle is clearly labeled as such. If you make your own, use pasteurized liquid eggs, which are sold in a carton.

“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.

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.

Eggs must be cooked to 160 degrees F to kill bacteria such as Salmonella that may be present. If your eggnog recipe calls for raw eggs, it may not be safe. Adding alcohol inhibits bacterial growth, but it cannot be relied upon to kill bacteria.

Why is eggnog not sold year round? ›

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.

We've all probably smelled spoiled milk before — if your eggnog smells like that, it's no bueno. A sour aroma is a sign that the lactic acid bacteria in the milk and cream have spoiled. Trust your nose; if it smells like spoiled milk, it probably is.

But be aware that a single cup can pack in 400 calories and 40 grams of sugar. So, if eggnog is a daily indulgence throughout the holiday season, it pays to find a better-for-you nog that you truly enjoy. Fortunately, there are a few lower-sugar eggnog options out there that taste pretty good, too.

Because it consists largely of milk and eggs, the combo below contains an impressive 31g of protein to fuel your muscle-building efforts. It's a virgin version of course, but if you do want to let your hair down, you can always chuck in a few shots of white rum or bourbon.

Canadian chef Heidi Fink states that one of the reasons people are making less homemade eggnog is that the beverage is expensive to make, due to its use of substantial quantities of cream, eggs, and spirits. Concerns about the safety of raw eggs may be another reason for the decline in homemade eggnog making.

Eggnog high fat content makes it an important heartburn trigger beverage especially when alcohol is added. Houston reflux specialists recommend consuming Eggnog in moderation to enjoy a heartburn free holiday.

Traditional eggnog is made with eggs, whole milk, and heavy cream, which unfortunately won't work for those who are intolerant to dairy. This non dairy eggnog has all the creaminess and taste of traditional recipes for eggnog, but without the milk and cream!

"Eggnog commonly contains nutmeg, which contains anti-inflammatory antioxidants," Hultin says. Antioxidants help protect your cells against oxidative stress, a process that damages and inflames them.

Eggnog is also high in fat. Any food or drink that is high in fat can be harder to digest, so these are typical Irritable Bowel Syndrome food triggers.