Healthier holiday recipes

The holidays can be a stressful time. You're busy visiting family and running all over for last-minute gifts, while still trying to get a holiday meal put together. The last thing you want to worry about is your diet from all the delicious but unhealthy holiday meal classics. We’ve rounded up three dishes and put a healthy spin on them to help you enjoy the holidays on the lighter side this year.

Sweet Potato Casserole

This is a great recipe to make prior to having guests come over for a dinner party. To make ahead of time, simply follow steps 1-7, cover and refrigerate. When you are ready to serve, add the pecans and continue with steps 9-10. Enjoy!

Why it's healthier: Excluding the marshmallows from this classic holiday dish cuts out the majority of sugar. You will get plenty of flavor from the cinnamon, nutmeg and toasted pecans.

Yield: 10 servings

Ingredients

2 lbs sweet potatoes
3 Tbsp of coconut oil, melted
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp sea salt or to taste
pinch of ground nutmeg
1 cup chopped pecans
salt & cinnamon/sugar for topping (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Wrap sweet potatoes in aluminum foil and bake in preheated oven until soft (about 1-1.5 hours)
Remove from oven, cut in half and let cool.
Remove skins and set sweet potatoes aside.
Reduce oven to 375 degrees.
Add applesauce and sweet potatoes to your blender and blend until smooth.
Add melted coconut oil, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg and blend until combined.
Transfer to a 9” baking dish.
Sprinkle the top with pecans and optional topping.
Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until potatoes begin to slightly bubble and topping is lightly browned.
Let it cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Roasted Turkey Breast

The main event to any holiday meal, this recipe cuts out all the unnecessary calories without compromising the flavor.

Why it's healthier: The breast of the turkey has less fat and calories than most other cuts of meat. Not to mention if you remove the skin after cooking, you will have yourself an even leaner cut of meat.

Yield: 8 Servings

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
3 sprigs fresh rosemary
10 leaves fresh sage
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 Tbsp dried thyme leaves
2 tsp salt
2 tsp coarse ground black pepper
1 turkey breast 4-6 pound, patted dry

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Set up oven so there is only the bottom rack. Add the turkey breast to a large roasting pan and pat dry with paper towels inside and out.
Combine the butter, herbs, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Set a few tablespoons aside for later.
Lift the skin from the turkey breast and spread butter inside. Smooth the skin back down to spread the butter all over the breast. Be careful not to tear the skin as the butter will drip out when cooking.
Roast for 90 minutes, or until the innermost part of the breast is cooked to 165 degrees.
Top with remaining butter and let rest for 20 minutes before serving.

Chocolate Mocha Muffins

Who doesn’t love chocolate for breakfast? Prepare these muffins on Christmas morning as a special treat.

Why it's healthier: Simple and wholesome ingredients are used, including whole wheat flour and cocoa powder. The sugar in this recipe is derived from the honey and bananas. Enjoy a chocolatey treat without the guilt this holiday!

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon espresso powder
1 tablespoon cocoa powder (70% cocoa or more)
pinch of fine sea salt
3 ripe bananas, mashed
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
3 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin tins with parchment paper liners.
In a large bowl combine dry ingredients.
In a separate bowl whisk together wet ingredients.
Slowly combine the dry ingredients into the wet, mixing until just combined.
Fill the lined muffin tins 2/3 of the way up.
Bake for 15 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick removes cleanly.