Holiday Meals: Bring the Good Option

Watching waistlines during the holidays is always a challenge. Plan for success this year by bringing the good option to holiday gatherings. Whatever your favorite dish / greatest weakness is, offer to make that dish and then bring a dish that you feel good about eating yourself and about serving to family and friends.

Here are a few suggestions for good options to bring:

Salad
Use a luxury ingredient like pecans or avocados for some heart-healthy fats that will curb your holiday appetite and help prevent over-indulging later in the meal. And take a stab at making your our salad dressing!

Hot Vegetable Side
Bring green beans simply sauteed in a dribble of olive oil with some sea salt (rather than drowned in 'cream of something soup'). Or, depending on the crowd (whether people love garlic or not), make Angry Broccoli: lightly saute several cloves of minced garlic with some red pepper flakes in a tablespoon of olive oil, toss in steamed broccoli and top with a few shavings of parmesan or pecorino cheese.


Dessert:
A fresh fruit plate with plain greek-style yogurt or a fresh farmers cheese (low in fat and calories) drizzled with honey, or a simple baked fruit dessert (without a pastry crust) garnished with a few nuts.

Happy Holidays!