Try These 5 Healthy Holiday Dishes
By Brandi Goodman
Holidays often involve some sort of meal. Whether it's just the members of your household sitting around the table, or you have a large get-together with friends, finding healthy dishes to keep everyone satisfied is key. You don't want to overindulge on non-nutritious foods. Make sure you're giving these healthy holiday dishes a try for your well-being.
Salad
Too many people skip salad altogether and feast on the fattening main course and side dishes. Eat some salad to start your meal. It adds to your daily intake of vegetables and can help you fill you up so you aren't overeating the more calorie-filled options.
Vegan Stuffing
The traditional bread-and-broth recipes for stuffing have far too many calories and carbohydrates. Not to mention, all the added sodium waiting to harm your heart. Create a vegan stuffing instead that tones down the sodium intake and offers a much more nutritious alternative. Green tea can replace the broth while whole grain bread takes over for white. With some of your favorite herbs in the mix, you'll have a delicious stuffing recipe you may not have thought of otherwise.
Brussels Sprouts
Plain Brussels sprouts may not be your favorite thing, but there are ways to spice it up to make the vegetable more edible. Use a low-fat butter and brown it in a saucepan on the stove. Sprinkle in some sage, salt, and pepper, to taste. Make sure the sprouts are well-coated. Skip the salt for an even healthier option, or use olive oil instead of butter. You definitely need the sage and pepper though -- or whatever herbs and seasonings are your favorite.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a common holiday dish, but they're often mixed with brown sugar and marshmallows. There's no need for having a dessert with your meal when you already plan on having pie afterward. Offer roasted sweet potatoes instead for a truly nutritious option. Sweet potatoes offer a lot of antioxidants and disease-fighting power. Use organic honey and cinnamon if you want to sweeten the dish.
Healthier Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole is another common favorite. With so much sodium-rich soup and fattening milk in the mix, it isn't an ideal dish. Make it healthier by choosing to use low-fat milk, a bit of flour, mushrooms, and seasonings and skip the soup altogether. Pan fry some shallots to place on top instead of the fried onions you find in a can.
Your holiday doesn't have to consist of unhealthy foods that fill you up only to leave you feeling ill. Make sure you're adding healthy recipes to the table for a wise meal choice. Your holiday season may be packed with treats and calories as it is. Don't let this be just another heavy meal to add to your waistline.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Happy Valley, Ore.