Healthy Side Alternatives for Holiday Dinners

Healthy Side Alternatives for Holiday Dinners

If you’re anything like the rest of us, you will be invited to more than one dinner gathering during the holidays. If you are trying to stay healthy this holiday season, here are some tips that will help?

1. Drink a lot of water before you head over to the festivities. This will keep you from being too hungry to wait for the main meal. No room for appetizers. Score one for you!
2. Eat a healthy snack before you head over.
3. Get in a quick workout so that you are burning enough calories that you can handle taking a bite of that delish pie on the counter without feeling guilty!
4. Bring over healthy side dishes.

Here are a few healthy side alternatives you can bring to your next event:

 

Mashed Cauliflower

Anyone watching carb content knows to avoid potatoes. Try this instead: boil and mash cauliflower instead of potatoes. Using this tasty recipe, nobody will miss those potatoes. Save the carb count for the rest of the meal.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/230816/garlic-mashed-cauliflower/   

 

 

 

Garlicky Green Beans

I know that the green bean casserole is a treasured addition to any holiday meal, but it’s chock full of calories and fat that you just don’t want right now. Try this recipe for garlicky green beans that incorporates those veggies in a new and delicious way.

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/249339/garlicky-green-beans/  

 

Crunchy Pear and Celery Salad

Instead of the traditional macaroni, green or potato salad – hey, I don’t know what your main dish will be – try this non-traditional pear and celery salad. Pears taste amazing this time of year, and will make for an amazing sweet treat for your tastebuds.

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/249276/crunchy-pear-celery-salad/