Looking for some nutritious holiday recipes to include on your menu this year?
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite options that are made with nutrient-dense whole foods. All of our recipes are also dairy and gluten free for people with sensitivities who need variations on some traditional recipes!
It’s great to enjoy the original versions of these recipes, no matter what the ingredients are. But sometimes you need a nutritious option for one reason or another. It’s all about being intentional and having a balanced mindset!
Find that area right in the middle, where you are getting nourished and also have room to experience joy around your dining experience.
Here you will find some holiday recipes that are great nutritious options. These are all easy to make and store well for leftovers!
How to prepare balanced meals during the holidays
One way to bring more balance to the holidays is to prepare a balanced dish for each meal.
The way we do it here at Nutrition Stripped is by using our Foundational Five system. This
The fundamental five are the five elements of a balanced meal: non-starchy carbohydrates, starchy carbohydrates, healthy fats, protein, and what we call the flavor factor.
By preparing a five-nutrient foundation meal, aiming to get all five on your plate, you help support your digestion, stabilize your blood sugar, and give you the steady energy you need to feel better.
Our five essential nutritious meals can be found in the form of smoothies, yogurts, oatmeal bowls or breakfast bowls, nutrition bowls, salads, soups, stews and many more. It’s not necessary for every meal to contain the Foundational Five, but if you are mindful of including most of these five elements on your plate at most meals, you will feel the difference.
If you need more help creating balanced meals, sign up for the Healthy Eating Made Simple course with The Foundational Five.
Lunch
Vacations are often a time to slow down and often when we have more free days and lazy mornings. Starting your morning with a nutritious Christmas recipe that you can share with your loved ones or simply appreciate the slowness and tranquility of a morning when you don’t have much on your to-do list is one of those little daily recipes. Moments we often overlook or take for granted.
Baked Raspberry Porridge
This baked raspberry porridge has the perfect balance of sweet and savory! An added bonus to this recipe is that it uses pantry-friendly foods and frozen fruit, making it affordable and easy to prepare. You can also store leftovers in the refrigerator and reheat them all week!
Caramelized Onion and Pear Frittata
Frittatas, in general, are one of the easiest nutritious Christmas recipes you can make with incredible flexibility. This Caramelized Onion and Pear Frittata combines the sweet and savory flavors of sweet caramelized onion, pear, and protein-rich eggs. It makes a great breakfast, quick lunch or reheated dinner, and even a take-out meal!
Sweet Potato and Cinnamon Smoothie
If there’s one thing we know about the Nutrition Stripped community, it’s that everyone loves smoothies, all year round! This smoothie tastes like fall in a glass!
Smoothies may not be the first thing you think of when you think of fall and winter recipes, but they are very convenient and you can use seasonal flavors to change up what you’ve been drinking all summer.
Main dish
During the holidays, the main dish usually includes an animal protein such as turkey or ham. But if you don’t like those types of proteins or eat more plant-based, these plant-based protein-packed holiday recipes will be a great addition to the menu. These recipes make a smaller portion, so they will be easier to prepare for 1 to 4 people if you are having an intimate celebration this year.
Vegetarian nut bread
One of the most common questions we ask this time of year is how to prepare a hearty, hearty, delicious, and effortless vegetarian main dish for the holidays. I listened and we served it today.
Christmas Acorn Squash Bowls Stuffed with Black Rice
This healthy main dish for two makes it easy to celebrate various seasonal flavors with a satisfying blend of wild rice and walnuts, along with a blend of warm herbs. Not to mention, delivering this recipe is basically a status worthy of a chef.
White bean soup with the best broth ever
This easy recipe puts beans at the center of a bounty of plant-based protein and energizing carbs. It quickly became a favorite of the Nutrition Stripped community and is one of those recipes that anyone would love, especially since it requires minimal effort! Serve this along with vegetables and you’re good to go!
Fittings
Sides are one of the most fun parts of the holidays! You can fill your plate with one or more of these sides that incorporate super nutritious and hearty ingredients in these traditional recipes.
Plant-Based Green Bean Casserole
No matter the time of year, this healthy and easy-to-make plant-based green bean casserole is sure to please any crowd.
Green beans and fresh herbs and creamy plant-based mushroom soup combine to create the perfect side dish. Steaming mashed cauliflower creates a rich, creamy texture without the need for dairy.
Roasted Mashed Sweet Potatoes
These Roasted Mashed Sweet Potatoes are the perfect nutritious Christmas recipe, packed with nutrients and easy to make!
Roasting sweet potatoes in the oven produces soft, tender potatoes and a caramelized flavor profile that you don’t get from boiling them. Adding fresh thyme to this dish gives it a tasty fresh and festive flavor. Using gluten-free miso adds a rich, earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the potatoes.
Gluten-Free Jalapeño Cornbread
Cornbread is one of those comfort foods that you can eat all year long to feel nostalgic. It’s warm and delicious and, if you have an oven and a skillet, it couldn’t be easier to make. If jalapeno peppers are too hot for your taste, try something else, such as bell peppers or sun-dried tomatoes.
Dessert
There are so many dessert options available that you may already have your favorite in mind. If you’re willing to try some new recipes, you can’t go wrong with one (or more) of them!
Stewed apples
A warm fruit dessert brings those cozy vibes to any celebration! You can serve these stewed apples alone or with a scoop of your favorite ice cream! Top with pecans for a little extra crunch and healthy fat too!
Homemade raw chocolate, in multiple ways
Adding things like strawberry puree, a shot of espresso, lime juice, cocoa powder, and vanilla to the base recipe will produce a variety of raw chocolates in minutes that are completely indulgent and delicious. You can also experiment with fillings like nut butter or fruit preserves. In short, you can have several varied and different raw chocolates to find your favorite!
Raspberry Cashew Butter Thumbprint Cookies
These Cashew Butter Cookies are so easy to make and only require a few ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry and refrigerator! The fun thing about this cookie recipe is that you can easily swap out the cashew butter and raspberry jam for your favorite flavor of nut butter and jam, making it your own!
More favorite holiday recipes!
16 Baking Blogs to Follow for Delicious Dessert Ideas
20 Recipe Blogs to Bookmark for Nutritious Meal Ideas
12 Food Blogs to Find Traditional and Modern Jewish Recipes
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