Welcome back #fitfam, today we’re going to talk about healthy holiday substitutions that I have gathered from multiple sources to share with you all. The general idea here is to avoid sacrificing flavor and comfort to remain on track with our health and wellness goals. Some of these substitutions will be ingredients you can use in your favorite dishes and others will be swaps that exchange out some staples for healthy alternatives that taste just as good. I do understand that there are some dishes that we all prefer to be untampered and in its most gloriously bad form and as we’ve discussed before, its okay to indulge in those treats in moderation.
Lets get started with prep/ingredients…
When creating your dishes, it can be helpful to exchange seasonings such as using herbs instead of salt (garlic powder vs garlic salt). Substituting organic yogurt instead of buttermilk and using swapping out 1/2 the flour in your recipe for whole wheat flour are simple adjustments that can sway your dishes into a more healthy space. If you love pasta, try swapping in veggie noodles which can make a dish more healthy but also potentially unlock some new flavors in your favorite dishes. Additionally, managing gluten and dairy intake should register very high on your to-do list here because there are many easy to find alternatives in the supermarket that allow you to change without sacrificing taste.
Of course, in some instances, it is much easier to simply change out an entire dish. In that regard, a great substitution for a staple is trading mashed cauliflower for mashed or sweet potatoes. Instead of a cheese and cracker tray, serve your guest a veggie platter with hummus or healthy dips. Instead of eggnog, a golden milk latte can tickle your fancy. Spritzers are nice twist away from super sugary mixed drinks and cocktails as well. There’s so many more options to ‘spice’ up your holiday menu while becoming more healthy and I recommend adding a cookbook or website subscription with even more suggestions to impress your family with new treats!
My wish is that my advice will inspire and drive you to the next level, please enjoy these tips!
Here’s some general pieces of equipment I recommend you gather to create a solid DIY kit that will cost you $60 or less – a lifetime of equipment for the cost of a 3-month gym membership:
1 – Ropeless jump rope, available on Amazon – Apprx. $8
2 – 5lb dumbbells, available at Walmart, Target, Academy, or other sporting goods stores – Approx. $12
1 – 10lb kettlebell – Approx. $12
1 – Set of heavy fitness bands – Approx. $15
1 – Long stretch fitness band – Approx. $6
I hope that you enjoy this journey and can get the most from the information and tips that we provide! See ya next time!
Lastly, I have training programs as low as $75/month that will supplement and guide you to your goals.
If you are interested in following along with my journey or contacting my company, I can be found on social media platforms:
Thanks for sharing this with the holidays closing in, we have to be mindful.
Yes, this season can be tough if we aren’t paying attention to what we’re consuming.
Great info!
Thanks!
Some great swaps, hope I could get thru this holiday season with it.
I will be adding more substitutions as well because we need all the help we can get!
This time of year I always have to be mindful of my ingredients, because I want that familiar taste, but I know they’re not the best. Thank you for the ideas.
Thank you for reading!