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Step 1
Know that creating a healthy holiday meal can be a big undertaking, especially when part of the challenge is creating a meal that those leary of "health foods" will enjoy. The holiday meals most Americans are used to are full of meats, fats and sugars. Your menu may be different than what most people are used to.
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Step 2
Make your food seem like real, normal food. You may decide not to mention to anyone that you're going the healthy route. The truth is, healthfully prepared food doesn't have to look any different than a traditional meal. If you make a drastic move-serving a meatless dinner, for example, you may opt to keep it a secret so that guests aren't kept away from a dinner that sounds unappealing.
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Step 3
Allow enough time. Meals made from scratch, with many including fresh vegetables and grains, take longer that meals from boxes or items that simply need to be heated up.
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Step 4
Pack in veggies. Fresh vegetables prepared in minimal fats are ideal. Try substituting the traditional green bean casserole or scalloped corn for brussel sprouts or broccoli. Serve an appetizer of raw veggies in a healthy yogurt-based dip rather than cooking them in oil or butter.
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Step 5
Sweeten the meal with yams or sweet potatoes. A sweet potato dish, when flavored with orange juice, contains minimal fat and sugar. This veggie is high in essential phytochemicals, such as beta-carotene.
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Step 6
Have your pie. Pumpkin pie can add a healthy finale to your holiday meal. Pumpkins, actually winter squashes, are favorites in desserts. One slice of pumpkin pie typically contains 200 fewer calories than a slice of pecan pie.
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Step 7
Serve a fresh green salad as your opening dinner item rather than packing in calories with fatty, oily, calorie-packed appetizers.
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Step 8
Consider serving soup as a main course rather than meats and heavy starches such as potatoes and gravy and breads.
