9 Healthy Cooking Tips for a Lighter Holiday Dinner

The holiday season is one of the most joyful times of the year, and you can make your holiday meal an even happier event by serving a lighter holiday dinner this year. Making healthy holiday meals invites all of your family and guests to savor the flavors of the season without feeling weighed down.

Here are 9 healthy cooking (and eating) tips for lightening up your holiday dinner while still featuring all of America’s favorite traditional dishes. 

These easy-to-follow healthy cooking tips from the dietitians at Health eCooks help you cook lighter and eat healthier at this year’s holiday dinner.

1. Enjoy the main dish. It’s usually a good source of healthy, lean protein. Many holiday entrées are protein-rich and relatively light compared to other foods on the table. Turkey is a holiday classic and an excellent lean protein. Roasted chicken is another healthy option. Even roast beef and ham can be good choices when you’re looking to fill your plate with protein-rich foods that keep you satisfied. Need more ideas? Try these healthy holiday dinner recipes.
2. A few ingredient tweaks will make holiday sides healthier. Traditional sides like mashed potatoes, pasta dishes, stuffing, and casseroles can easily be lightened up. Swap butter for olive oil, use whole-grains instead of refined ones, season with fresh herbs in place of salt, and replace heavy cream for Greek yogurt or low-fat milk. Even small tweaks like the ingredients in these healthy Thanksgiving sides create healthier recipes for any holiday side dish.
3. Pile on the sweet fruits and fresh vegetables. Holiday meals often feature rich comfort foods, but don’t forget to offer seasonal fruits and vegetables. Brussels sprouts, roasted squash, pears, apples, and pomegranates add fiber, vitamins, and natural sweetness. Filling half your plate with seasonal vegetables and fruits leaves less room for high-fat sides.
4. Offer a healthy first course. A colorful salad, a hearty vegetable soup, or roasted veggie platter makes a beautiful and healthy first course for your holiday menu. Try one of our healthy holiday appetizer recipes. These lighter additions can become family favorites for years to come.
5. Make your own sauces and salad dressings. Store-bought gravies, sauces, and dressings can be packed with sodium, fat, or sugar. Making your own gravy, sauce, or low sodium salad dressing gives you more control over what’s in your food, and it often tastes better. 
6. Stay hydrated. Between festive cocktails and sweet drinks, it’s easy to forget to drink water. Put a glass of water or sparkling seltzer with fruit at each table setting. If you do drink alcohol, alternate with water to stay balanced.
7. Be selective about your sweet indulgences. Instead of sampling every dessert on the table, pick the one or two you truly love. Here are some of our best healthy holiday dessert recipes. 
8. Practice mindful eating. It’s tempting to load up your plate or go back for seconds (and thirds) without giving it a second thought. Instead, start with smaller portions and eat slowly. Give your body about 20 minutes to register fullness before deciding if you want more.
9. Look at the bigger picture. One indulgent holiday dinner won’t undo your health goals. If you decide to indulge (or you wind up eating more than you planned), just get back on track at the next meal.

With these healthy cooking tips, healthy holiday recipes can be just as festive, flavorful, and satisfying as more traditional ones. And by making a few simple adjustments and focusing on balance, you can still enjoy the holiday foods you love without feeling stuffed from fat and calories.