By Amy Gorin, MS, RDN
When it comes to the holidays, food swaps for healthy holiday eating help you indulge while still keeping your calorie intake moderate. Here are a whole bunch of ideas, and your guests won't even notice the difference!
Throughout the next month, many of us will be hitting up office parties, getting together with family members, and booking our calendars full of holiday eating celebrations. And ahem, eating a Thanksgiving meal (in my family's case, two Thanksgiving meals!).
While I love a good get together that brings me closer to the people I care about, there's one thing about these gatherings that I sometimes wish I could change: the abundance of delicious but not-so-healthy foods.
I'm all about indulging, but there's a way to enjoy in a more moderate way so that those stretchy post-holiday pants don't become a permanent wardrobe choice come the new year.
Enter here all the tools you need to stay on top of your healthy eating habits, including ideas for healthy holiday recipes. You'll find a list of 20 foods worth skipping at your co-worker's holiday bash, plus good-for-you food swaps that'll make you feel like you're still the center of the party.
I'm also sharing 10 ways you can amp up the nutrition and turn down the
calories in your own holiday meal, as well as a healthy appetizer fit for your next potluck. Let's dig in!
By the way, if you're looking for meal and snack ideas to help keep you healthy into the new year, I have great news! My mix-and-match meal plans (and all of my printables!) are 40% with code CYBER through
midnight on 12/2.
Food Swaps That Will Save Hundreds of Calories
Don't worry, I'm not taking away your mashed potatoes! But I am giving you a few fun ways to save calories on sides, appetizers, and desserts so
you can enjoy your favorite dishes without the guilt.
Take a look at this Prevention slideshow to see which holiday meal staples I recommend skipping, plus the healthier alternatives that are so tasty you won't miss the original one bit.
Smart Swaps That Will Shave Hundreds of Calories
If you're the one whipping up the holiday meal, know that you don't have to go completely out of your way to make your dishes a touch
healthier.
With the one-ingredient food swaps in my NBC News article, you can cut anywhere from 25 to 180 calories in a single serving of fan favorites like brownies, mac 'n cheese, and spinach dip. The best part? Your picky eaters won't notice a difference. Need more healthy recipes for Thanksgiving?
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I'd love to hear from you! What food swaps will you try?
Comment below, or tag @amydgorin on Instagram and Pinterest and @amygorin on Twitter and Facebook.
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