Holiday Mini 2022
The holiday season is in full swing and there’s no slowing down now, Mama. Gatherings with family and friends, office parties, cookie swaps, holiday shopping and school events. The mad rush to fit it all in doesn’t leave a lot of extra time for meal prepping and planning... but it’s still important to do. Just as you would any other time of year, be sure to set aside time each week to get the job done. This will allow you to fuel your body and will help you to make good decisions throughout the day (and night too!)
But, we know that whenever there’s a holiday there is sure to be unplanned bites enjoyed and sips sipped off plan. While those moments may feel inevitable, they don’t have to completely derail your nutrition goals. Since the unplanned moments are sure to happen, let’s make the planned ones a little bit healthier. Because, you know… balance.
Here is a list of our favorite simple swaps to give you a head start to staying on track this holiday season. They may seem small, but every little bit counts!
Swap a few candies or a dessert for frozen grapes instead. Frozen grapes taste sweeter because freezing causes the cells in the fruit to break and the sugar begins to crystalize. This process causes our taste buds are better able to access the sugary sweetness in these fruits.
Instead of sweet potato casserole, try cooking sweet potatoes with a sprinkle of cinnamon and brown sugar instead.
Swap in avocados for creaminess. Use them to top your chili in place of sour cream, blend them with lemon and a pinch of salt and pepper for a creamy dressing, whip them into a batch of brownies instead of using butter or use them in a mousse instead of cream!
When cooking and baking try using a highly quality nut milk in place of heavy cream or milk
Skip the margarine, butter or vegetable oil and replace it with coconut oil when cooking and baking. We love to incorporate coconut oil into holiday baking because it makes sweet treats a little healthier. Note: swapping coconut oil can change the structure and texture of your baked good. Check out this great guide from Paleo Pantry for more info and swap instructions
Instead of using sugar to flavor coffee or tea try a drizzle of maple syrup, a couple of drops of vanilla extract, cinnamon, honey or peppermint extract.
Use cauliflower in place of rice, flour and potatoes.
Cut back on cheese by sprinkling nutritional yeast on top of meals and dishes instead.
Skip semi sweet chocolate chips and opt for dark chocolate chips like these or cacao nibs.
Swap less healthy cuts of red meat like T-bone, rib-eye and flap steak for healthier choices like loin, sirloin or round whenever possible.