5 Tips for Nutritious and Delicious Festivities

(NC) Prepping your holiday menu can be just as stressful as picking out the perfect gift for that special someone. You know that you’re going to serve a classic turkey, festive ham or tender roast, but what is going to accompany it? And let’s not forget the appetizers – hungry guests waiting for dinner always want something to nibble on before the main feast.

Registered dietitian, Ingrid Fan, shares her tips to lighten up our menus by adding more fresh ingredients to our meals.

1. Don’t mess with tradition. Mashed potatoes will always have a place at the table, but there are many ways to make them a bit lighter than the dairy-heavy version we’re used to. Try leaving the skin on your potatoes to add some fibre or boiling some cauliflower with your potatoes to cut down on the carbs. Add a few dollops of plain Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream and butter to give it that creamy texture you crave.
2.  Return of the buffet. While family-style might be more your thing, think about serving your meal buffet-style. By placing the vegetables at the front end of the buffet, your guests may be more inclined to fill their plate up with some holiday favourites like roasted brussels sprouts, maple-glazed carrots or garlicy broccoli before hitting the main course and heavy sides.
3. Up your appetizer game. What you serve before the meal is almost as important as the main course. When serving wine or spirits before a meal, make sure to have snacks on hand as alcohol can increase appetite and diminish control over what we will eat. Appetizers don’t have to be stressful, either – a simple veggie platter and some whole grain crackers and cheese will satisfy most. If you’re feeling adventurous, try your hand at making some crustless quiche bites full of veggies such as mushrooms, peppers and spinach.
4. Spread the love of leftovers. There is no doubt that there’s nothing quite like enjoying holiday leftovers. So why not share yours by sending your guests home with a care package to enjoy the next day? This will help cut down on food waste and ensure you’re not eating the same meal for the next week or over-indulging night after night.
5. Have your cake and eat it too. The holidays are meant to be enjoyed. If you use balance and moderation as your guide most of the time, a little indulgence here and there is okay, and shouldn’t be guilt-ridden. So, go ahead and savour that piece of yule log.

If you’re looking for more tips on how to nutritionally elevate your menu options this season, Loblaws in-store registered dietitians can help. Book a session to learn more about simple ways to change up a recipe to ensure it is nutritious and just as delicious at bookadietitian.ca.