Classic Egg Nog

1. Health: 250 calories per 1/2 cup, 110 calories from fat, 7 grams saturated fat, 100 mg sodium
2. Versatility: drinking, flavoring coffee and cakes, spiking with rum
3. Price:  $1.99 to $2.49 per quart
4. Taste: very rich and creamy, thick and delicious

Lite Egg Nog

1. Health: 130 calories per cup, 15 calories from fat, 1 grams saturated fat, 90 mg sodium
2. Versatility: use anywhere regular egg nog is used
3. Price: same as Classic Egg Nog
4. Taste: slightly less thick than classic egg nog, noticeably less creamy, very faint perfume fragrance and taste

OK, this one was hard. The first time we tasted both Classic and Lite Egg Nog (or NUG, which is how I've pronounced it my whole life), we conducted a blind taste test, tasting one after another in no particular order. We quickly were able to detect the Classic Nog. It was much creamier and thicker than the Lite version. No contest, right? Even after reviewing the nutritional information (hello, Classic Nog has 6 more grams of saturated fat and 120 more calories than Lite Nog!), we decided that Nog is a splurge that comes only once a year. It was decided that Classic Nog would be declared the Side by Side winner. Or was it...

With our tummys filled up, we climed into bed,
Visions of sugar-plums dancing in our heads.
But then, the next morn, I heard a faint clatter.
Chris returned to fridge to check if the calories and fat really mattered.
Cups were filled, nog was downed (only the Lite version this time).
When it wasn't Side by Side, we thought the Lite tasted just fine.
So the winner of the contest was as clear as Egg NUG.
Pick the Classic for a one-year sip; Pick the Lite if you chug. :)

How does Milk Nog compare, you ask? Milk Nog is a 50/50 blend of Classic Egg Nog and Fat-Free Milk. It has 140 calories, 6 g fat (3.5 saturated fat), and 80 mg sodium per 1/2 cup. I've never tried it. Have you?