by Mary Cate Scroggins Quick Tips: HEALTHY A L T E R N A T I V E S TO YOUR HOLIDAY FAVORITES W hen you think about celebrating, you think about food. The holiday season is notorious for its over-supply of decadent treats. Everyone has a favorite recipe or beverage that makes its annual appearance, maybe even more than once. I don’t know about you, but most of my favorites are not be the healthiest of choices. With that being said, creating an equally delicious product while incorporating healthier alternatives is worth the try. It’s time to celebrate a long, healthy life this season! Here are some foods that can be easily swapped without sacrificing the taste:
Full-Fat Dips Yogurt-Based Dips These dips can be found at just about any party’s appetizer table. It’s easy to get caught up in the assortment of bite-sized foods, but remind yourself there’s still the entire meal to enjoy. Heavy, cream based dips add up in calories quickly, even when served with vegetables. Substitute regular sour cream with nonfat plain Greek yogurt to cut the caloric intake by more than half.
Casseroles Fresh Whole Ingredients Baked casseroles are popular comfort foods, especially during the holidays. However, large amounts of butter, oil and sugar are incorporated within these recipes, which tend to leave a stomach ache behind. Instead of cooking a sweet potato or green bean casserole for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, save one of the holidays for the healthier options. Prepare whole cut vegetables rather than combining them with flavors that distract their natural flavor. If you still wish to prepare a casserole, use lower sodium and non-fat ingredients.
Pecan Pie Pumpkin Pie Okay yes, this may appear a bit misleading. Holidays are all about celebration, so we can’t ditch the splurging all together! If you had to decide between the two, pumpkin pie tends to fall on the healthier side. Most pumpkin pie recipes are significantly less in calories, fat and sugar. Plus, they are a great source of Vitamin A, Calcium and Iron. Don’t get too carried away though comparing these two legends; a slice of pie during the holidays is always good for the soul!
MY HOME LIFE - 7 - WINTER 2016
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