5 Healthy Foods for the Holidays

Celebrate time with your family and friends this holiday season. Enjoy some of my helpful tips to make your favorite holiday foods healthier.

5 Healthy foods for the holidays:  

1. Turkey is high in protein and low in fat and calories when you select the white meat without the skin. Other nutrients from turkey include; potassium for healthy cells, iron, zinc and B vitamins.
2. Sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, beta-carotene and potassium.  Eat the sweet potato skin for the fiber benefit.
3. Green Beans are low in calories and high in nutrients.  Some key nutrients include; vitamin K for bone health, vitamin C for immune system support, fiber, folate and potassium.
4. Cranberries are full of vitamin C and fiber.  Cranberries also help maintain heart health, prevent urinary tract infections, and are an important cancer fighting antioxidant.
5. Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A, fiber and low in calories making it a healthy holiday food. Pumpkin seeds are an enjoyable snack and full of the healthy polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids.

Tips to keep your favorite holiday foods healthier:

• For a juicy, moist and healthier turkey use an oven cooking bag recipe and skip brushing with oil or butter.  To enhance the flavor of gravy add 1/4 cup of the juice that forms in the bottom of the cooking bag.  Toss the bag for an easy clean up!
• Our family holiday vegetable favorite is the French’s green bean casserole topped with fried onion rings.  For a healthier side dish use low-salt green beans french cut, fat-free cream of mushroom soup and skim milk.
• We love everything pumpkin during the holidays.  Use evaporated low-fat milk for your pumpkin pie and consider making your own healthy pie crust recipe with oil instead of shortening.

What are your favorite holiday healthy foods to cook? 

Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and healthy Holiday Season!

Lou Ann