The holidays are a great time to be around family, friends – and food! If you’re looking for a healthy twist on your favorite holiday dishes or wanting to try something new, you’ll love these ten recipes for this year’s holiday season.
Start with a Warm, Cozy Breakfast
Start your day off right with these easy and festive breakfast recipes:
Bring in fall flavors like pumpkin pie spice to add a festive twist on a breakfast classic with sweet potato pancakes!
Incorporate oats to your morning muffins to add some whole grains early in the day.
Try an Easy Entree this Holiday Season
Spending all day in the kitchen is so last holiday season! Try this delicious slow cooker (like a Crock-Pot) recipe so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your friends and family.
Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Vegetables
Mix-it-up by adding your favorite veggies for a well-rounded dish.
Show Off with Colorful Side Dishes
Impress everyone at the table with these colorful side dishes packed full of vitamins and minerals.
Keep the holiday traditions while being heart-healthy with a lower-sodium green bean casserole recipe. Using extra herbs and spices keeps the flavor we all know and love while decreasing your salt intake.
Take more time with your family Thanksgiving day by making this yummy side the day prior. Store in the refrigerator in a Ziplock bag to save time on a busy holiday.
Kale and Cranberry Stir-Fry [3]
Take more time with your family Thanksgiving day by making this yummy side the day prior. Store in the refrigerator in a Ziplock bag to save time on a busy holiday.
Don’t sacrifice the flavor of sweet potato casserole but lower some calories, sugar, and fat by candying yams instead. Be ready to give out this recipe to your friends and family- they will be asking you to share this delicious dish.
Don’t Forget the Delicious Desserts
Make sure you leave room for dessert because you won’t want to miss out on these tasty treats!
Eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring! With fruit, whole grains, and nuts this dessert is full of nutrients and delicious.
Sugar and spice make everything nice – but adding raisins makes it better! Sneak raisins or your favorite dried fruit into these cookies to give you and your guests some extra nutrients.
Stay Hydrated…and Warm!
Don’t forget to stay hydrated during your holiday festivities! Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water throughout the day, and try mixing it up with these festive beverages that will put you in the holiday spirit.
Snuggle up with your loved ones and sip on some delicious hot chocolate. This timeless beverage is warm, chocolatey, and packed with calcium!
This blend of spices and flavors provides a little kick without caffeine. This is a perfect pick-me-up herbal tea to be enjoyed anytime of year!
If you’ve got leftovers, we also have some helpful tips for safely storing and reheating them in our Advice for Holiday Cooks blog. You can also try spicing up your leftovers throughout the week or sending some home with family or friends if you’re running low on fridge space.
We hope you enjoy these ten festive recipes as much as we do, and that they add something new to your holiday table! Enjoy your celebrations with friends and family this year, and we wish you a happy, healthy holiday!
Sources:
[1] MyPlate: Sweet Potato Pancakes Recipe: https://www.myplate.gov/recipes/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/sweet-potato-pancakes
[2] MyPlate: Green Bean Casserole Recipe: https://www.myplate.gov/recipes/myplate-cnpp/sarahs-green-bean-casserole
[3] MyPlate: Kale and Cranberry Stir-Fry Recipe: https://www.myplate.gov/recipes/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/kale-and-cranberry-stir-fry
[4] MyPlate: Sugar & Spice Cookies Recipe: https://www.choosemyplate.gov/recipes/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/sugar-and-spice-cookies-better-baking-mix
Published on December 6th, 2023
Written by Sierra Woodruff, MS/DI student | Edited by Jung Sun Lee, PhD, RDN; Tristen T. Webb; and the nutrition education team