Holiday Recipes – #SOBikini Makeover Tips

Are dreams of sugarplums dancing in your head? Eggnog by the fireplace or rich, holiday appetizers? Most are are loaded with sugar, salt and fat – cheese platters, bacon-wrapped appetizers, creamy eggnogs, sugar-filled punches, cookies and rich desserts.

The holidays can be a challenging time of year to make healthy choices, but it is possible and best of all, making healthier choices can be fun and leave you feeling fullfilled instead of stuffed. This week, here are a few tips to make your favorite holiday recipes a little lighther and yes, healthier:

Holiday Recipe Makeover Tips

Shake the salt out. Reduce salt by half in most recipes without sacrificing flavor. Use lower-sodium versions of packaged foods when available. Create beautiful, appetizing relish trays with crunchy, raw veggies such as cucumber slices, jicama sticks, and broccoli intertwined amongst the carrots and celery. Serve a new flavorful, homemade dip like a Roasted Red Pepper Hummus or Salsa Fresca. In soups and entrees, leave out the salt entirely and infuse flavor with fresh herbs and flavored vinegars.
Trim the fat. In baked goods, cut the fat (butter, shortening, and oil) by about half and replace with unsweetened applesauce, prune puree or mashed banana. Instead of full-fat condensed milk, use condensed skim milk in drinks, desserts and, yes, even in your favorite holiday fudge. For gravy, heat fat-free, low-sodium broth (or drippings with the fat removed); mix quinoa flour (or plain white flour) into cold skim milk and pour slowly into broth, stir until thickened and season to your liking.
More than just sweet. When making desserts or eggnog, reduce the amount of sugar by half and enhance “sweetness” by adding a bit of citrus, a little extra vanilla extract or fresh vanilla bean, nutmeg or cinnamon. Honey and molasses are great options, too! Their depth of flavor means you can use less of it. Trade out sugary toppings like frosting, jams and syrup with fresh or unsweetened frozen fruit instead.

Do you have tips for healthy holiday eating? We’d love to hear them! Post your healthy recipe makeover tips for your favorite holiday foods. Or, have questions? We are here to help – post your comments, questions and share your special holiday #SOBikini treats.