Healthy Swaps for the Holidays

The holiday season is now in full swing, and parties and gatherings will continue to grow, as well as platters of rich and delicious food. If you are hosting a party this holiday season and want to make mealtime healthy but not lose the flavor, here are some easy swaps you can make!

Mashed Potatoes

When it comes to mashed potatoes, the first swap you can do to make them healthier but still as creamy and fluffy is to try a low-sodium vegetable broth in your mashed potatoes and cut back on butter or margarine. You can also try using Yukon Gold potatoes, which have a naturally rich yellow color and buttery texture.

Green Bean Casserole

For this holiday staple, you can use toasted wheat bread crumbs on top to keep that crunch instead of the fried onions or swap the whole casserole out for fresh green beans with sliced almonds on top.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Try making honey-glazed sweet potatoes instead of sweet potato casserole or candied yams, or because sweet potatoes are naturally sweet, you can use less sweetener in the dish.

Healthy Swaps

• If you plan on making pasta, use zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or lentil-based noodles to reduce carbs and increase the nutrients.
• You can also use nut or oat milk in place of dairy, like heavy cream and milk, in recipes because they’re rich in healthy unsaturated fats and protein. 
• Using fat-free yogurt as a substitute for sour cream or mayonnaise in dips and sauces is a great way to keep the creamy texture while using an excellent source of protein, calcium and probiotics.
• When it comes to baking, mashed bananas can be used instead of oil or butter, and you can use wheat flour instead of white flour for extra nutrients.

The holidays can be full of stressors, but don’t let holiday food guilt be one of them! With these suggestions, you can enjoy the holidays mindfully and still experience all that they have to offer without the guilt.