Cheese boards are in right now, and for a good reasonthey're delicious. When putting together your holiday cheese board, add a few reduced-fat cheeses or a light vegan cheese like this Vegan Cheddar Cheese. Additionally, be sure to add healthy in-season produce like grapes, strawberries, olives and figs for snacking. And lastly, don't forget the whole grain crackers! Adding healthy, homemade crackers like these Sunflower Crackers will provide an additional hearty flavor and texture to your plate and give the guests something to pair the cheese with.
While potatoes provide nutrients, when mixed with additional foods like butter, milk and cream, they quickly become a heavy plate that will surely make a dent in your calorie count for the day. This year, instead of making traditional mashed potatoes opt for a healthier version like sweet potato mash or cauliflower mash. Making this swap will lighten up your holiday dinner while also providing an entirely new array of flavor possibilities. Or, skip mashed potatoes all together and make these Whole Grain Sweet Potato Muffins!
If you choose to make traditional mashed potatoes, you can lighten them up using low-fat milk and less butter.
Have you ever found yourself eating a large slice of pumpkin pie, just for the filling alone? You're not the only one. If you're one of many who prefer pie filling over crust, then we recommend skipping the crust altogether. When making your next pie, forgo the crust and pour the filling into individual cupcake trays. Bake it as usual and coat it with a dollop of whipped cream for a custard-like treat that's lighter in calories.
Don't want to ditch the crust? Try our Gluten Free Pie Crust Mix.
It's no secret that at Bob's Red Mill, we love home-cooked meals. Aside from the fantastic taste (and smell) that a home-cooked meal offers, they can also be considerably healthier. Making meals at home allows you to choose the ingredients they're made with. By using wholesome and light ingredients, you can quickly turn your favorite store-bought meals into a healthy version of themselves. Plus, as we mentioned earlier, home-cooked meals allow you full control of the flavor profile, making it easier to satisfy your family's taste buds.
We hope that this list of light dinner tricks works to help you offset all of the rich, filling foods you'll likely encounter at this year's holiday gatherings. These tips will not only encourage you to make delicious, healthy dinners, but they'll also save you lots of carbs, calories and unhealthy fats in the process. Ready to get started? Try incorporating the tips mentioned in your dinner recipes and enjoy the benefits!
