Holiday Cooking with Diets in Mind

Planning holiday meals is a stressful endeavor as it is. But, planning holiday meals around multiple people’s dietary restrictions can be downright maddening. With over 45 million Americans on a diet, chances are you’re needing to find creative ways to manage everyone’s meal requirements this holiday season. Don’t fret – it is possible to cook a Thanksgiving feast that’s both healthy and satisfying by following these diet-conscious tips –

8 Healthy Cooking Tips for the Holidays 

1. The best way to keep your guests from over-indulging in more calorie-dense courses is to have a variety of lean snacks and appetizer choices. Having your guests graze on healthy options like vegetable and lean meat trays is a great way to ensure guests can stay on track. Broth-based soups, rather than cream, is also a healthy way to fill up before the main course.

1. Chose to limit your starchy sides. Rather than serving both mashed potatoes and sweet potato casserole, pick your family’s favorite rather than having both options on the table. Your carb-conscious guests will be more apt to stay within their daily proportions if there are less options on the menu.

1. Choose fruits and vegetables served raw, grilled or steamed. Holiday recipes are generally loaded with calories from creams, gravies and butter. Grilled veggies taste great with a little healthy oil, like extra virgin olive oil, and seasoning alone.

1. While casseroles are often a hit, they are terrible for the waistline. Forgoing rich sauces and condensed soups in these recipes can eliminate loads of extra calories.

1. An alarming amount of calories consumed during a meal don’t come from food alone – drinks like ciders, punch, mixed drinks, and of course soda can quickly sabotage any diet. Stick to calorie-free drinks like water, tea, and flavored seltzers rather than sugary ones.

1. If you choose to serve alcohol, limit the amount and offer it only during select times. Have a cocktail hour before dinner is served or offer it during your meal. Remember, alcohol is packed with calories and has virtually no nutrients.

1. Ask your guests to bring a dish. Having them contribute a healthy dish to your holiday gathering that fits their diet is a good way to ensure they’re happy with the side selections. It also makes things easier for you by freeing up your stove or oven with one less item.

1. Ask for menu planning suggestions and help. Get your guests involved by asking what their needs are ahead of time. It’s difficult to make dishes that suit a dieter’s needs if you aren’t aware of them ahead of time.

Remember that the holidays are about your friends and family as a whole. You can’t possibly provide a meal that will suit everyone’s needs perfectly. However, making healthy modifications to recipes and providing dishes that are waist-friendly can ensure that everyone has something to enjoy during the meal.

NurseCore is a national leader in medical staffing and home care services. We are committed to exceeding the expectations of both our clients and employees, we specialize in connecting healthcare professionals, nurses, and caregivers with the medical facilities and home care positions in need of their expertise. NurseCore strives to relevant healthcare news, resources, and industry topics. Explore our blog and “like” us on Facebook!