Parenting Today
Holiday cooking and baking is a family tradition that kids love. The family bonding time — along with delicious food — is a combination that can’t be beaten. This year, try to add a healthier twist to your holiday dishes without worrying that your kids won’t take a bite. With a few easy ingredient tips, you can make healthy and fun holiday recipes.
Common Substitutions
Many families have tried-and-true holiday recipes that they aren’t eager to swap for an entirely new dish. If you’re using a traditional recipe, you can still swap some of the ingredients for healthier versions without too much trouble. The result might taste or look slightly different, but you can have fun tweaking the changes to make a new spin on a classic favorite.
Sweet Potatoes
Swapping sweet potatoes for standard Russet or gold versions can add more fiber and vitamins to a recipe. Look for white sweet potatoes if you don’t want the color to change much. As an added bonus, you can decrease any sugar or sweetener in the recipe since the potatoes now pack a sweeter punch.
Whole Grain Versions
Anytime a recipe calls for grains, try to swap in a whole grain variety instead. These versions are healthier because they’re less processed, plus they add fiber to help your kids stay full longer (i.e. fewer snacks later!). Experiment with different brands of pasta or breads to find one your family loves. Whole wheat flour is an easy one-to-one swap for any baking, too; the final consistency will be a bit coarser, but the cooking time stays the same.
Fruit Sweeteners
In many recipes, you can use fruit as sweeteners and/or binding agents. Dates make a great substitute for white sugar in most recipes. You can often reduce the amount of butter or eggs when using dates as well, since the sticky nature helps bind the dough together. This conversion chart can help you make these swaps easily. Other fruit products, like applesauce, can be used in place of oil or eggs in batters for a higher fiber, lower fat recipe.
Moisture from Veggies
Many recipes need added moisture to get the right consistency. Rather than increasing the eggs, oil, or butter, try using cooked and pureed vegetables instead. Zucchini and carrots are good options for breads and cakes, while avocados can replace butter one-to-one. Follow these tips for more ideas about incorporating veggies into desserts. For savory dishes, puree leafy greens with the recipe’s sauce to add bulk and moisture, decreasing the amount of cheese or cream that you use.
Recipes Kids Will Love
Although you can enhance any recipe with some healthy, clever swaps, it’s nice to try new things where the secret ingredients are part of the dish’s allure. These kid-friendly holiday recipes will maximize flavor and nutrition so that you can serve something everyone is excited about.
- These fudgy zucchini brownies are a hit any time of year, but top them with green avocado frosting and holiday sprinkles for a winning dessert.
- Add these whole wheat pumpkin applesauce muffins to your fall and winter breakfast menu; the recipe is easy enough that kids can complete most of the steps on their own, too!
- For a healthy, hearty dinner, try this butternut squash lasagna. The holiday flavors take center stage here, and because you’re using butternut squash instead of meat or extra cheese filling, the whole dish is packed with extra vitamins and fiber.
- As a side dish or main course, this keto stovetop stuffing has the same appeal as regular bread stuffing with a healthier twist. Kids will love making the homemade “mug bread,” too, so get them involved in the process.
- A sweet potato gratin is an excellent alternative to traditional potato dishes at your holiday potluck. Using low-fat milk and less cheese, you can turn this savory dish into a slightly sweet offering that kids will love.
- For holiday snacks, try to make the food fun and festive. Your kids won’t notice if they’re healthy, too. This Santa toast uses whole wheat bread and fruit, while these cookie-cutter pizzas are the perfect light dinner treat (buy whole wheat dough or make your own!).
You can have holiday food that your kids will enjoy, and that helps them stay healthy through the new year. All it takes is a little creativity!