Incorporating Healthier Foods into the Holidays

By Brandi Swieter

Too many people allow the holidays to be about consuming high-fat foods that aren’t healthy. Christmas cookies, pies, pistachio pudding, and more treats get eaten regularly during the Christmas season, leaving many people feeling bloated and overstuffed. Incorporating healthier foods into the holidays is a better idea, ensuring people are still getting the nutrition they need even while enjoying some delicious treats.

Go Low-Fat

Eating healthier doesn’t have to mean cutting out holiday desserts and drinks completely. An alternative solution is to go low-fat, enjoying the same foods and beverages but without the high calories. Eggnog, for instance, has a low-fat recipe that can get made from scratch. It cuts down on the fat content and is a much healthier alternative than store-bought selections.

Make Substitutions

Many ingredients can get substituted for other items. These substitutions will make for healthier meals and snacks. For instance, instead of using butter while baking, olive oil is a healthier solution. Applesauce may even replace it. Honey may be used in place of sugar.

Start From Scratch

Purchasing store-bought items is not ideal, as many pre-made goodies contain far too much sugar, calories, and fat. A healthier solution is to start from scratch, replacing unhealthy ingredients for healthy ones. Homemade items are often far more healthy than ones purchased from a store.

Add More Fruits and Veggies to the Mix

Sweet potato casserole may be a delicious side dish for the holidays, but it is high in calories and sugar content. Skip the marshmallows and stick to a yam recipe that doesn’t go overboard. After all, there will already be plenty of desserts available without having to make a side dish one too. More traditional fruits and veggies need to get added to the holiday mix, making up for some of the options that are guaranteed to be on the table. Set out a fruit platter as an appetizer and make some seasoned vegetable dishes as sides.

Serve Fruit-Infused Water

Too many households offer punch and other unhealthy beverages around the holidays. While it’s fine to have one drink like this, it shouldn’t be the only thing consumed the entire night. Serving fruit-infused water is a better alternative, as water has no calories or sugar and fruit of all kinds are beneficial to the body thanks to the nutrients they contain. A cranberry orange infused water would make an ideal holiday drink.

The holidays often leave people feeling bloated and overstuffed. Incorporating some healthier alternatives to the traditional food items is an easy way to combat this problem. Start from scratch, switch out ingredients, and go low-fat for a healthier holiday meal that won’t pack on the pounds this season.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Meridian, Idaho.