When the holiday season rolls around, it’s difficult to stick to your strategy for healthy eating. From Christmas parties to New Year celebrations packed full of finger food, it seems as though temptation lurks around every corner.
The good news? You don’t need to let indulgence get the best of you during this festive season. There are still plenty of great recipes out there that will allow you to eat well, without missing out on some of your best-loved flavors from this time of the year.
Here are just some of our favorite recipes to try this holiday season.
1. Panzella and Brussel Sprouts
There are few foods more synonymous with Christmas than the Brussel sprout. As most would-be chefs know, the sprout can be a delicious addition to any meal if you know how to use it correctly. This year, why not try something different by creating your very own Panzella with Brussel sprouts, onions, and a host of other compelling flavors. You won’t regret it.
2. Crispy Beet and Mozzarella Salad
Bring the colors of the season to life with this red and green flavor-filled salad. While beets and cucumbers are great for other times of the year, it’s the mozzarella that really brings this recipe to life when you’re looking for something delicious to finish off your festive season. Roasting your beets in a halogen oven before you put them into the meal will help to bring out their raw sweetness, while the radishes and arugula in the recipe provide extra crunch.
3. Ambrosia Trifle
Don’t worry! We’re not going to ask you to stick to salads and veggies during the Christmas season. We all know that the holidays are a time to indulge in some sweet treats too! This Ambrosia trifle is light and creamy – just like your traditional festive trifle. However, it comes with a lot fewer calories than you would usually find on your plate at this time of year. Packed full of delicious red and pink grapefruit, pineapples, angel food cake, and more, you might just find that this low-fat dessert becomes a staple of your holiday celebrations.
4. Pomegranate-Honey Chicken and Squash
Chicken and vegetables are a pretty common meal around the festive season – particularly if you don’t want to eat too much fatty turkey. This unique dish brings a delightful Mediterranean flavor to the lean boneless chicken that will transform your diet during the winter. With a glaze made from balsamic vinegar, tart juice from pomegranates, and a little sweet honey – you’re sure to fall in love with the mouth-watering flavors. We particularly recommend finishing this meal off with a sprinkling of cayenne pepper on your roasted acorn squash for a meal that’s as warming as a festive fire.
5. Lemon-Herb Cookies
Thinking of leaving some cookies out for Santa this year? Why not try something a little healthier to help him slim down that belly that’s so full of jelly? These lemon-herb shortbread cookies use a lot less sugar and butter than the traditional shortbread. Additionally, the use of almond meal will help you to get an extra dose of nutrients into your sweet treats. However, just because these cookies are healthier doesn’t mean that they’re not delightfully moreish. You’ll need to be careful that you leave some over for Santa Claus! The great thing about these cookies is that the dough will also keep in your freezer for up to a month, so you can make them whenever you like.
6. Gingerbread Cookies
Speaking of sweet treats for the festive season, is there anything that says “Christmas” quite like gingerbread? If you love the warming flavor of this delicious cookie, but you don’t want to take on the extra calories that come with most sugary recipes, we’ve got the perfect healthy alternative for you. Not only is this biscuit a lot less fattening than most gingerbread options, but it’s gluten-free and vegan-friendly too!
7. Lemon Garlic and Herb Roasted Potatoes
Finally, make sure that you have the ideal side dish ready for your main meal this festive season with this fantastic lemon garlic and herb roasted potatoes. They’re crispy and mouth-watering on the outside, while deliciously fluffy on the inside – just like roast potatoes should be.
Now you have your top 7 recipes for holiday cooking – all you need to do is go and get the oven ready! Enjoy!
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