Healthy And Delicious Holiday Ingredient Swaps

Mashed Cauliflower Instead Of Mashed Potatoes
Mashed cauliflower helps you squeeze in another serving of veggies while enjoying that creamy texture we all love from mashed potatoes. Trust us, if you whip them with butter and cream like you would potatoes, you won’t even notice the difference!

Trade Canned Cranberry Sauce for the Real Stuff
When you treat your guests to homemade cranberry sauce, you’re treating them to the antioxidant-packed benefits cranberries without all the sugar that comes with the canned stuff.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes Instead Of Sweet Potato Casseroles
Yes, mashed sweet potatoes are delicious, but they’re full of heavy, caloric ingredients that don’t necessarily add anything to the taste. Consider swapping the casserole for roasted sweet potatoes. You’ll get the same taste in a healthier package.

Healthy Apple Crisp Instead Of Apple Pie
Satisfy that warm apple craving with healthy apple crisp made with rolled oats, whole wheat flour, and a healthier nutrition facts roster than pie!

Cacao Nibs Instead Of Chocolate Chips
These tasty nibs are loaded with antioxidants, and they’re sweet enough to take the place of chocolate chips without sacrificing flavor.

Pecan Pie Instead Of Pumpkin Pie
Swap in pecan pie so you can still have that sweet, rich, and creamy taste as part of your dessert. A healthy pecan pie recipe has far less fat and calories than pumpkin does.

Skim Milk Instead Of Cream In Your Egg Nog
If the holidays just don’t feel like the holidays without a glass of egg nog, you can easily upgrade it. Instead of heavy cream, use skim milk in your nog - and spike it with the spirit of your choice for a little extra cheer.

Wine Spritzers Instead Of Wine
A wine spritzer contains far less sugar and calories than regular wine, and of course, it still tastes amazing. All you need to do is add club soda to your wine and you’ve got yourself a delicious spritzer!

Make A Refreshing Gin Fizz
Gin is one of the lower-calorie alcohols out there, and it just so happens to be one of the tastiest too. Mix in a sweetener like honey, and some fresh ingredients of your choice - like rosemary or cranberry. Cheers!

Use Iced Tea As Your Mixer
If you tend to like your drinks mixed into sugary sodas, switch things up by mixing spirits with unsweetened iced tea instead. As odd as it might sound, it’s absolutely delicious! Jack and tea, anyone?

Fresh Tomatoes Instead Of Marinara Sauce
If you’re making a casserole or lasagna dish that calls for marinara sauce, consider using sliced tomatoes instead. The pre-made jars of sauce have tons of added sugar, while fresh tomatoes are antioxidant-filled and a whole a lot more refreshing!

Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil Whenever Possible
Anytime you can, use extra virgin olive oil as your cooking oil for holiday meals. It’s packed with healthy fats!

Scalloped Potatoes Instead Of Cheesy Gratin
Instead of cream- and breadcrumb-filled potatoes au gratin, serve up a tasty scalloped potato dish. You’ll still have plenty of cheese and cream, but with a lighter experience.

No matter what time of year, it’s important to be aware of how your food impacts your health - but that doesn’t mean you should miss out on what you love. If there’s a not-so-healthy dish that you look forward to each year or that is special to your family, don’t pass it up! Enjoy it in moderation, but life is too short to miss out on foods altogether. Save the ingredient swaps for dishes you’re feeling more adventurous about.