Healthy Holiday Substitutions
Every family has their own holiday traditions that are unique to them. No matter how your friends and family celebrate, the one holiday traditional we all share is food. You can’t have the holidays without food, but with all of that food trying to stay healthy during the holidays is difficult.
‘Tis the season, to enjoy yourself! Here are some healthy holiday substitutions so you can indulge all you want without feeling guilty.
Oven Roasted Turkey vs Deep Fried Turkey
Turkey is the entree of choice during the holiday season and is most commonly oven roasted or deep fried. While most people think frying turkey is an unhealthy option research has indicated that most of the oil is absorbed in the skin. Unless you eat the skin, there is little difference in calories and fat between the roasted and fried turkey. Just make sure to use a healthy fat when frying like peanut or canola oil.
While there is little difference in calories, oven roasting a turkey is by far the safer of the two options. It is important to be aware of the possible danger of cooking the turkey this way. You’re working with hot oil, and any spillage on the burner could mean a potential fire. So if your family tradition is a fried turkey remember to stay safe and use healthy fats!
Click here for the healthy recipe featured in this photo.
Cauliflower Mash vs Mashed Potatoes
What goes better with a turkey than mashed potatoes? This year instead of your traditional mash try out cauliflower mash! The American Diabetes Association classifies cauliflower as a non starchy vegetable, whereas potatoes are a starchy vegetable. Not only is cauliflower a low carb option, cauliflower is also loaded with vitamins and minerals. It is a good source of vitamin C, folate, vitamin K, vitamin B6 and potassium.
Click here for the healthy recipe featured in this photo.
Canned Cranberry Sauce vs Homemade Cranberry Relish
That can of cranberry sauce you opened at Thanksgiving is full of sugar, corn syrup, and other added sweeteners. Even just a fourth of a cup of the canned stuff can have more than 100 calories. For this holiday season try making your own cranberry relish and cut out some of the sugar for a healthy holiday side dish that everyone will love.
Click here for the healthy recipe featured in this photo.
Pecan Pie vs Pumpkin Pie
It’s hard to resist all of the tempting desserts during the holidays, but you can save close to 200 calories by choosing pumpkin pie (about 300 calories a slice) over pecan pie (about 500 calories a slice). Neither is exactly eating healthy, but with the pumpkin slice you’re getting less calories and lots of vitamin A, calcium, and iron.
Click here for the healthy recipe featured in this photo.
