BY: Caitlin Gallagher
The holidays. If you’re like me, you start thinking about turkeys and hams and all the fixings around August. In my humble opinion, the holidays are the best part of the year. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the cherry on top of the green and red cornucopia: New Years. Sometimes, though, we tend to compromise our diets and healthy living for the two-month celebration. We say that we’ll just splurge for the one day and hop back on the healthy train as soon as the day is done. However, falling off the wagon for one day can set back our fitness or dieting progress tenfold.
Although ham and turkey are relatively healthy for you, we sometimes go off the deep-end when it comes to sides and fixings. The holidays are a perfect time to load up on carbohydrates, which tends to make us feel sluggish and tired. There are a few tips and tricks that I’ve learned throughout the years to keep the carbs low and keep you accountable for those weight loss and diet goals.
I’m not sure what your family makes for holiday dinners, but I can almost bet that there’s going to be mashed potatoes. The best alternative for mashed potatoes is mashed cauliflower. Although the taste and texture differs slightly, it still tastes great with turkey and gravy, and it usually only takes a couple of ingredients to make. Like regular mashed potatoes, there are tons of variations of recipes.
Another great way to make sure you stay on track is to incorporate lots of veggies into your meals. Sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, cranberries ,and winter squashes like Butternut or acorn squash can all be roasted together to make a tasty hash that you can make in place of a casserole dish filled with bread, crackers, or noodles. You can also nix the green-bean casserole and opt for bacon-wrapped green bean bundles instead.
It’s so easy to get creative with holiday meals while keeping it light and healthy. With the internet and Pinterest at your fingertips, the possibilities are endless. If you don’t want to compromise your diet and fitness for a few days of endless indulgence, you don’t have to. You will be surprised at how tasty whole and healthy foods can be!