This post was sponsored by the National 4-H Council as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.Thanks for inspiring me to write this post about easy swaps you can make to have a healthier holiday! What is your favorite food do you like to indulge on during the holidays? Many of us tend to overeat at those massive holiday meals, right? I love to load up on the mashed potatoes and gravy and family favorite dessert recipes. But since I am making an effort to live a healthier lifestyle, I have found several easy swaps you can make to have a healthier holiday!
- Alcohol: Many people like to have a drink or two at the holidays. There is no problem with that BUT, they can be loaded with calories and sugar. Consider having a light beer, a wine spritzer or a diet soda in your favorite cocktail.
- Appetizers: I tend to full up with appetizers before the meal is served. But then I feel obligated to eat full meal as well. If you are serving appetizers, bulk up on vegetables and a low calorie dip. If you serve potato skins for example, serve sweet potatoes and use turkey bacon and low calories sour cream.
- Salt: Heart disease runs in my family, so I watch my salt intake. Instead of using salt to flavor your foods, use fresh herbs.
- Family Involvement: I love to have the kids in the kitchen when I am cooking. One of the reasons I want to do this is to make sure they have input in the food we prepare and cook. I want their opinions and preferences for the meals we serve in our home. This also fosters independence in them for their transition into adulthood!
- Side Dishes: One of my favorite holiday side dishes is mashed potatoes! These can have a lot of calories. We have lighted up this family favorite with several swaps. We add cauliflower, low fat sour cream and light butter. I also skip the gravy to save on added calories. For your stuffing, make your own. The boxed stuffing mixes have more calories that you don’t need. Instead of serving green bean casserole, just serve lightly sauteed green beans.
- Turkey: There are added calories in the dark meat of the turkey. We serve a turkey breast instead, which is a healthier option. If you are serving gravy, make a homemade version that is another easy swap you can make to have a healthier holiday.
dessert: Ahhhh. I love dessert! One of our favorites is apple pie and cheesecake. I created a lighter version which is a combination of the two. I use an apple pie flavored yogurt instead of cheesecake. I also use granulated sugar substitute instead of traditional sugar when I make the apple mixture. It is so tasty! And by using a mini pie crust, you aren’t tempted to take that extra big slice!
My parents divorced when I was 8. I was raised in a single parent home for most of my childhood. Mom struggled to make ends meet. We didn’t always have food on the table. We had food stamps, but they didn’t always stretch for the entire month. Fresh produce was not always something we had access to. I remember how stressful the holidays were for my mom. She was always so sad. She didn’t have the money to buy us gifts or to serve the big holiday meal we grew up enjoying.
I want my kids to know how blessed they are to not know what it is like to be hungry. I also want them to know a healthier lifestyle is a solid choice to make as they get older. This is why I have such a heart for the 4-H Food Smart Families program. There are almost 16 million kids who live as my sister and I did, where food was not something they always have consistent access to. The program targets families who are receiving SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and/or WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) benefits.
The 4-H Food Smart Families program teaches these families how to plan, shop and prepare healthy meals on a budget. I wish there had been a program like this when my sister and I were growing up. Since 2011, UnitedHealthcare and 4-H have partnered together in an effort to offer a way to empower families like my mom and sister and I. They have delivered healthy living programs to more than 340,000 youth and their families in 14 states. Isn’t that wonderful?!
The 4-H Food Smart Families program offers these families nutrition education, cooking skills and food budgeting skills. The families are also connected with nutrition assistance programs within their community. This way they can learn to make healthy living part of their everyday lives. Although the program is only in 14 states currently, the end goal is to have the program in every county across America. I encourage you to visit the 4-H Food Smart Families. There you can learn more about the program, 4-H, how to donate and more. Be sure to stay connected with 4-H on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Do you have tips to easy swaps you can make to have a healthier holiday? Do you have a personal connection to 4-H? I would love to hear!
Rosie says
November 16, 2017 at 2:15 pmI always bring healthy options when I’m visiting for Thanksgiving, or cooking, too. It doesn’t mean it won’t taste good! I had a 4-H gal who used to help with the chickens and goat a long time ago. Less work for me, fun and learning for her!
Kim Avery says
November 16, 2017 at 5:25 pmI grew up in a 4-H family! It was our life! I’ve since moved away from it but pleased to know this program exists! I was lucky enough to have a huge produce garden and living in a cattle/dairy farm we always had healthy meals.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
November 16, 2017 at 6:06 pmThese are great tips! I love the holidays, but they can really wreak havoc on you health. Especially when you let yourself go.
Bill Sweeney says
November 16, 2017 at 6:12 pmI have to try this. I’ve made a commitment to living a more health lifestyle, and I was worried about how I’d get through the holidays.
Jeanette says
November 16, 2017 at 6:28 pmThis is exactly what I was looking for. I’m trying to find a healthier way to have Thanksgiving but still have a yummy Thanksgiving.
Dawn Lopez says
November 16, 2017 at 6:41 pmHealthier options for Thanksgiving dinner are always a very good thing. I know I love to thoroughly enjoy my holiday meal so a version that would be better for my health is a much better plan.
Liz Mays says
November 16, 2017 at 7:13 pmI could definitely do a lot of these this year. I want to enjoy a tasty thanksgiving meal without it being too unhealthy!
Makeba Giles says
November 16, 2017 at 7:22 pmThis is what I need! I’ve been wanting to replace some of the traditional foods, for more healthier choices.
Maureen says
November 16, 2017 at 7:47 pmI think people forget that it’s not super hard to make the holiday meals healthier. There are many options to replace bad for you ingredients, thanks for a quick reference list as I plan our holiday meals.
Kristi says
November 16, 2017 at 8:23 pmGreat suggestions, I have cut down on the salt we have in our food and even buy unsalted butter only. Each step in the right direction is a good one.
Liz Mays says
November 16, 2017 at 9:28 pmThat’s a big one for us too! It’s pretty easy to go over the recommended daily amount.
Claudia K says
November 16, 2017 at 8:38 pmGreat tips. I always limit the amount of salt I use when cooking and I love using fresh herbs as well. They can add so much flavor to a dish.
AnnMarie John says
November 16, 2017 at 9:06 pmThis is such a good reminder that we don’t have to indulge too much in unhealthy food this season! Love these alternatives that you featured.
Jenn Mitchell says
November 16, 2017 at 9:07 pmIt’s amazing that with a few simple changes a meal can change completely. I am going to have to use a couple of these this year
Tonya says
November 16, 2017 at 9:17 pmThese are great tips. I love the idea of using apple pie flavored yogurt for your cheesecake. I make a cherry cheesecake and think I’ll try a lighter version.
Amy Desrosiers says
November 16, 2017 at 9:22 pmFor me, Thanksgiving is the day to pig out. I put all diets aside on that day!
Randi says
November 16, 2017 at 9:27 pmIt’s hard to eat healthy during the holidays but small changes do have a big impact.
travel blogger says
November 16, 2017 at 10:06 pmThese are great tips! I think it is so important to make small changes that are better for health. It is wonderful that 4 H has this program. I think it is so important that families have help choosing healthier foods that also fit in their budget. Such a great idea to cut down on obesity and other nutritional related diseases.
Sara Welch says
November 16, 2017 at 10:07 pmLuckily I have always enjoyed the breast meat. Dark meat is no bueno to me!
Ra'Nesha says
November 16, 2017 at 10:12 pmI always make tomato and cucumber salad, broccoli, green beans, and a kale salad for the holidays.
Sarah L says
November 16, 2017 at 10:13 pmI go light on the appetizers. Have to save room for the homemade gravy and homemade stuffing.
gingermommy says
November 16, 2017 at 10:14 pmThese are really great tips to have a healthier holiday! I am going to have to take note of these.
Jessica Terru says
November 16, 2017 at 10:15 pmThe holidays are always so hard on people diet wise. These are fantastic tips. I am going to bookmark this.
Pam says
November 16, 2017 at 10:19 pmThere is definitely no reason Food can’t be healthy AND delicious. Sounds like you make some smart swaps.
Carol Cassara says
November 16, 2017 at 10:27 pmI definitely prefer to eat healthier this season! I’ve been doing my best especially after starting my whole 30 diet earlier this year! Great tips for people who would like to make things healthier this season!
Connie says
November 16, 2017 at 11:16 pmThese are great ideas. Thanks. I needed this.
Amanda West says
November 16, 2017 at 11:26 pmIt’s so easy to gain a ton of weight during the holidays. These are great tips for slimming things down. For the salt idea, there are salt substitutes too! I love using NuSalt, works perfectly when a little seasoning is needed
Alison M. says
November 16, 2017 at 11:44 pmI like these healthy tips. I will be taking this route this year to stay healthy.
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
November 16, 2017 at 11:55 pmThat sounds like a great program for families. These are really awesome tips! Will try these for the holidays!
Sarah says
November 17, 2017 at 2:03 amI think the healthiest option we have is the salad 🙂 But seriously, having healthy option are good for those that do want the option.
Jenni says
November 17, 2017 at 3:28 amThese are great tips to try this holiday! Thanks so much for sharing!
LaShawn says
November 17, 2017 at 5:20 amGreat tips! I tend to go overboard on the holidays so anything that helps is great. The veggies are usually the healthiest thing on our table lol.
mycraftingworld says
November 17, 2017 at 6:29 amI really like your ideas for the appetizers. I have not tried adding cauliflower to mashed potatoes but would like to try it now. Thank you for the ideas.
brianne says
November 17, 2017 at 7:05 amI’m all about healthy options for Thanksgiving! I usually bring all the green side dishes!
kristin says
November 17, 2017 at 11:26 amSuch great options for thanksgiving. I totally am going to try these!
Cynthia R says
November 17, 2017 at 4:14 pmThank you! This is great, Several family members with recent health issues so we wanted to be a little healhier this holiday season.
Christina A. says
November 17, 2017 at 10:11 pmI love these tips! Two that we do are family involvement and healthy appetizers! I usually make a healthy dip to serve with vegetables that we eat while we are working together in the kitchen!
Patricia Green says
November 18, 2017 at 2:39 pmHmmm. Not sure how I feel about this. I love the tips for healthier eating. They all make sense. But I think I’m having a hard time thinking about giving up one of my favorite cheat days of the year!!!
Veronica Vilora Solomon says
November 18, 2017 at 10:14 pmI love the healthy tips. I love cheating a bit on Thanksgiving, but I welcome delicious alternatives as well
wendy browne says
November 19, 2017 at 7:42 amMy family showed rabbits then dogs in 4-H in the 90s. I’m glad to see them doing this food project. If you’re looking to go healthier, I suggest keto. It has changed my life, No more diabetes.
Sarah L says
November 19, 2017 at 10:54 pmI’ll have to try adding cauliflower to the mashed potatoes. I know it doesn’t change the flavor much.
Kiwi says
November 20, 2017 at 1:32 amGreat healither tips for a better holiday. Definitely easing up on the salt I love black pepper.
shannon fowler says
November 23, 2017 at 10:39 pmThis was such a great post. I never like to go too overboard on the holidays. Making swaps in recipes really helps me enjoy the food without losing taste.
Sarah L says
November 25, 2017 at 12:00 am4-H is a great group. They do great things.
Amy D says
November 28, 2017 at 8:50 amFamily involvement is key for us! My 4 year old daughter helped me make the brussel sprouts at Thanksgiving, and that ended up being the food she wanted to eat the most because she helped prepare it.
mycraftingworld says
February 5, 2018 at 7:23 amI am making the apple pie in the mini form. It will make it easier to count servings and I will feel better about the sweets.