Can you stay committed to your fitness goals during Christmas dinner? With these healthy recipes, you can! You can have a very festive meal made with healthy ingredients that will keep you in shape during the holidays. The best part about these recipes is that they are extremely delicious and guilt-free because they are healthy! Plus, they will look awesome on your festive dinner table.
So, if you want to maintain your healthy eating habits during the holiday season, these recipes will help you do that. They are just as delicious as traditional holiday foods but healthier and easier to make. Additionally, you will save some time on cooking, because these meals are easy to prepare.
1. Veggie Wreath with homemade Ranch Dip
This low-fat recipe is perfect if you want to make sure you don't neglect your vegetable intake during the holidays. This wonderful veggie appetizer contains cauliflower, broccoli, green beans, and a savory homemade ranch dip. It only takes a few minutes to make and it will look amazing on your Christmas dinner table.
Ingredients
- 8 cups of broccoli florets
- 3 cups of trimmed Brussels sprouts
- 2 cups of trimmed green beans
- 1 cup snap peas with strings removed
- ½ washed bunch curly kale
- 2 cups of cauliflower florets
- 9 cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup of Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons of finely chopped shallot
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 4 teaspoons of white-wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- pinch of salt and white pepper
Directions
- Place a large pot of water on the stove and bring to a boil.
- Set a large bowl of ice cold water next to the stove.
- Put the broccoli in the boiling water for about 2 minutes.
- Transfer the broccoli to the ice water bowl using a slotted spoon.
- Repeat this for the Brussels sprouts, green beans, and snap peas.
- Drain all the veggies and allow them to chill.
- In the meantime, whisk the yogurt, vinegar, shallot, dill, salt, and pepper in a bowl and set it in the center of a large circular plate.
- Arrange the vegetables around the bowl, so they resemble a festive wreath. Top with cherry tomatoes and enjoy!
2. Pumpkin Cheesecake
This sweet and savory recipe is the perfect festive dessert and the best part is that there's minimal baking involved. It takes only 30 minutes to prepare and it is packed with vitamin A. Make sure you garnish this dessert with pomegranate seeds for a more festive look.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup of finely crushed graham crackers
- 3 tablespoons of canola oil
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 pack of unflavored gelatin
- ¼ cup water
- 8 ounces of light cream cheese
- 15 ounces of can pumpkin
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- Frozen light whipped dessert topping (optional)
- Chopped toasted pecans, and/or pomegranate seeds to garnish
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Combine the crushed crackers, canola oil, and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar into a bowl and mix well.
- Spread it evenly on a springform pan and press firmly on it. Bake for 5 minutes and then allow to cool.
- In the meantime, stir the gelatin and water and let it sit for 5 minutes. Cook and keep on stirring over low heat until the gelatin dissolves. Set aside and allow it to cool.
- In a bowl, beat the cheese cream on medium speed until it's smooth.
- Add the brown sugar, pumpkin, cinnamon, and gelatin in the mixture and whisk it together until it's smooth.
- Spread the mixture over the crust, cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- To serve, cut into wedges and top with whipped topping if you want to.
- Garnish with cinnamon, chopped pecans, or pomegranate seeds, and enjoy!
3. Peppermint Fudge Energy Bites
This is the perfect Christmas treat for those who want an energy boost during the holiday season. It takes only 10 minutes to make and it doesn't involve any baking! This healthy holiday treat has a delicious chocolate flavor and just a hint of peppermint.
Ingredients
- ½ cup of raw almonds
- 6 pitted dates
- 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder
- ¾ teaspoon of vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon of peppermint extract
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon of dark chocolate chips
- ½ cup of crushed peppermint
Directions
- Put the almonds and dates in a food processor until they are well blended.
- Add the cocoa powder, coconut oil, peppermint extract, and vanilla extract and blend until it's well combined. You can add a teaspoon of water if necessary.
- Next, add the chocolate chips and mix again.
- Take a teaspoon of this mixture and use your hands to roll them into small balls.
- Press them into the crushed peppermint candy and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
4. Maple Cranberry Sauce
Your festive dinner table is not complete without the savory cranberry sauce! This homemade sauce is quick and easy to make, and it doesn't contain any sugar. You can use maple syrup or honey to sweeten it instead. This cranberry sauce will become the star of your Christmas dinner table.
Ingredients
- 3 cups of fresh or frozen cranberries
- ½ cup of maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon of orange zest
- ½ cup fresh orange juice
- ½ cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick
Directions
- Rinse the cranberries and remove the stems if there are any left.
- Add the cranberries in a saucepan and place over medium heat.
- Add the maple syrup, orange zest, orange juice, water, and the cinnamon stick. Stir occasionally and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Boil over medium heat for about 20 minutes, then remove from the heat and allow it to cool.
- Refrigerate for at least 24 hours before serving.
These 4 recipes will give a healthy punch to your festive holiday dinner. They will save you cooking time and provide you with a delicious meal guilt-free. Make sure you buy fresh products to reap the complete benefits of these healthy recipes and don’t forget to treat yourself a little.
The cranberry sauce will definitely be the star on your Christmas dinner table and your family and friends will enjoy it! Don’t forget to treat them with healthy energy bites and the festive pumpkin cheesecake. Enjoy your holidays with these healthy recipes and have a very Merry Fitness!
