Healthier Holiday Choices
The holiday season is a time for dressing your table with tasty food for family and friends.
If you’re looking for lighter fare this year, here are a few ideas to help you assemble a mouthwatering spread filled with healthy nutrients, fresh ingredients, and whole grains.
Rolls: Canned rolls are simple to prepare, but healthy homemade pumpkin oatmeal muffins, made with pumpkin puree, rolled oats, and pecans, are almost as easy to bake—and they might taste better too.
Stuffing: This side dish is a holiday favorite, but it can be high in carbohydrates, calories, and fat. Instead, try making a wild-rice stuffing with celery, onion, dried cranberries, and fresh thyme and sage, and you’ll have your guests asking for seconds.
Sweet Potato Casserole: Spuds don’t have to swim in marshmallows to please the palate. Instead, make a lighter sweet potato casserole by using almond butter and topping the dish with a homemade pecan crumble.
Fresh Green Beans: Skip the canned veggies and dried onions, and offer fresh beans topped with panko breadcrumbs, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and caramelized mushrooms and onions instead.
Cranberry Sauce: Make your own cranberry sauce by gently boiling cranberries in water, orange juice, and honey for a side dish that’s lower in calories and filled with fresh flavor.
Turkey: Turkey is mostly a lean and healthy food if you don’t fry it. Also, avoid eating the skin if you are counting calories.
Dessert: It’s OK to indulge in a bit of decadent dessert during the holidays, but for a lighter option, make an apple crisp using rolled oats or whip up some chocolate-covered strawberries.
There’s certainly nothing wrong with enjoying some decadently delicious holiday foods. And with these healthier offerings, you can do so without the guilt.