5 Recipes Fit for Christmas
By Brandi Goodman
Christmas may seem like a while away, but the holiday will be here before you know it. Now's the time to start thinking up your menu. You don't want to include the common offerings that are full of calories, sugar, sodium, and fat. You want to find foods that are fit for a healthy and nutritious Christmas dinner.
Vegetable Wreath
A wreath is a traditional Christmas decoration. Design your vegetables into a wreath display and have an edible decoration for your holiday table. Broccoli, string beans, and Brussels sprouts can make up the main design with sections of cauliflower to break up the green. A few spots of cherry tomatoes can add extra color.
Gingerbread and Pear Upside Down Cakes
Pies and cakes are common dessert offerings at Christmas. Cut down on calories by creating smaller servings of cupcakes. Gingerbread and pear upside down are a healthier version. They provide fiber, vitamins, and potassium.
Sausage, Apple, and Wild Rice Stuffing
Most people think of bread pieces when they think of stuffing. You can use rice instead for a unique take on the dish that has fewer calories. You'll get lots of nutrition from this dish, such as protein from the sausage, Vitamin A from the apple, and fiber from the rice. Potassium, Vitamin A, and iron are also plentiful in this stuffing option.
Mashed Turnips and Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are an extremely popular side dish both at holiday tables and regular nightly dinners. A mashed turnips and potatoes dish seasoned with garlic is a healthier alternative. Turnips are actually a bit more sweet too. They offer lots of vitamins, such as A, C, and E, and are a good source of folate and calcium.
No-Sugar-Added Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce is another common find at the Christmas table. Most recipes call for lots of sugar. Try a no-sugar-added option instead to cut back this season. Use fresh cranberries, pitted dates, vanilla extract, and apple cider for a unique dish. Cranberries are high in antioxidants. They're even said to improve the function of your immune system.
Christmas may only come once a year, but your health needs to be considered daily. Don't think overindulging on just one day isn't that big of a deal. It's better to include nutritious recipes that are less likely to make you feel so sick from overeating.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Mission, Tex.