Three holiday foods that are actually good for you
When the holidays roll around, most of us accept the fact that we will have to leave the top button of our pants undone. Thanksgiving and Christmas are two of the biggest days of the year for overeating in America. It’s estimated that the average Thanksgiving meal tops off at around nearly 4,500 calories. Christmas dinner is not much better – and don’t forget about the multiple holiday parties in between. Holiday foods are not known to be particularly low calorie or healthy. However, you may be surprised to hear that some of your favorite holiday treats aren’t so bad! Below are 3 holiday foods that are actually good for you. If you’re trying to reduce your guilt this holiday season, stick to some of these holiday favorites:
Pumpkin Pie
You likely only eat pumpkin in the form of pie every year around the holidays, but pumpkin itself is a popular dish worldwide. Pumpkin is a winter squash that is technically classified as a fruit, though many people mistake it for a vegetable. The bright orange gourds are full of vitamins and minerals and low in calories when eaten by itself. Pumpkins are used in both savory and sweet dishes, but the favorite way to eat it tends to be pumpkin pie. One slice of pumpkin piecontains around 323 calories along with fair amounts of Vitamin A, Potassium, Magnesium, and Calcium. While it does have quite a lot of sugar, that can easily be managed by reducing the amount of sugar your pumpkin pie recipe calls for. Or not. We must get some enjoyment out of life, right?
Potatoes
The potato has provided humans with sustenance for hundreds of years now. They are cheap to get and are super versatile when it comes to making meals out of them. They are most commonly consumed during the holidays in their mashed form, loaded with salt and butter. While the salt and butter doesn’t do wonders for your health, potatoes themselves pack a lot of nutrients. Potatoes are decent in calories (one medium potato has just 161 calories) and provide tons of fiber, potassium, vitamin-C, magnesium, and iron. What’s even better is that they taste awesome almost any way you cook them. If you’re trying to go lighter this holiday season, cut back on the butter, cream, and salt. Try mixing your mashed potatoes with alternatives like Greek yogurt or butter substitutes. You can also opt to roast them instead with just a tad of oil and salt. Yum.
Turkey
Turkey is a lean protein that is one of the healthiest options you can go for at a holiday dinner. It only contains 169 calories per 3.5-ounce serving with the skin. The protein in turkey will keep you full longer, meaning you’re less likely to go for seconds of pecan pie. Plus, it has a lot of essential vitamins and minerals like B12, Niacin, and Zinc. Turkeys are a centerpiece for most holiday dinners, so make sure you eat up. Just be careful with the gravy sauce, as that can add on a lot of extra calories and fat. Otherwise, don’t be afraid to go for seconds, thirds, or even fourths of this protein- and vitamin-rich holiday favorite.
