The holidays are a time for gathering, celebrating, and gratitude. And eating. A lot of eating. It can be easy to get swept up in the season and overindulge, and that’s okay! It’s important to give yourself permission to have a little fun over the holidays. But we also know you — and those you’re feeding — may have health goals that you don’t want to completely toss out the window.
So whether you’re throwing a dinner party, heading to a potluck, or feeding a house full of out-of-town guests, these better-for-you apps, salads, entrées, and desserts are perfect for skimping on the guilt — not the holiday spirit.
Appetizers + Salads
Keep the protein and ditch the unnecessary fat by swapping sour cream and mayo for Greek yogurt and Neufchâtel cheese. Heart-healthy pecans create a perfect balance between crunchy and creamy.
Enjoy this new twist on a classic that cuts back on fat, sodium, and cholesterol without sacrificing flavor. Replace egg yolks with hummus or turn up the heat with a creative topping like sriracha or jalapeño.
Winter is the season for citrus. Combine navel and blood oranges with grapefruits for a simple, refreshing salad, then top it all off with a citrusy dressing that’s chock-full of vitamin C — it’s a sure way to brighten up your holiday spread.
Fulfill your fall cravings and get your vegetable fix with this festive, whole grain-filled salad, loaded with nutrients from sweet potatoes, onions, apples, walnuts, and cranberries. The best part? It can be served warm or cold.
Main Course Dishes
Comfort food at its finest, this entrée will have you wondering how something so indulgent can be so nourishing. Plus, it’s a slow-cooker dish, so you can spend time with friends and family and not in the kitchen.
Feeding many mouths means dealing with different tastes. Let picky eaters choose their own ingredients to top off these fun, personal-sized boats of cheesy goodness.
Lean chicken, Greek yogurt, and white beans mean this cozy meal packs 28 grams of protein into just 225 calories. Did we mention it only takes 15 minutes to make? Talk about a holiday miracle.
The best part about this easy meal isn’t the cheesy goodness or the Italian-inspired flavors; it isn’t even the plant-based ingredients. The best part is that it’s freezer-friendly, so you can make it long before the first guests arrive, then throw it in the oven when you’re ready to serve.
Desserts
Make it pumpkin pie, but bite-sized! And without the oven. But with pecans. But without the guilt. But with chocolate.
Dessert for breakfast? Yes! These bite-sized beauties look as pretty as they taste, and rolled oats with cherries will have you snacking on them morning, noon, and night.
