The holidays can be a juggling act of balancing time and energy between relatives, friends, obligations, and wintertime fun. With all the excitement, thriving during the season means taking care of—and making time for—yourself.
A consistent sleep schedule, exercise, and nutrient-dense whole foods help you bust stress and tackle your day. Nutrition plays a huge role in how you think and feel throughout the holidays and beyond. Foods with a balanced ratio of healthy fats, protein, and complex carbohydrates give you lasting energy and are far more filling than processed foods. Pack your pantry with fresh fruits and vegetables, and keep fiber-rich, low-sugar nutrition bars on hand for smart snacking.
You can also make your own deliciously healthy, easy holiday treats—full of powerful protein, satisfying fiber, filling fats, and heaps of holiday cheer. Try these three, simple recipes today.
Quick n’ Easy Holiday Treats
Peppermint Protein No-Bake Bites – Makes 10
For Quick, On-the-Go Energy
If pumpkin spice is the flavor of autumn, peppermint is the essence of winter. Relive all your best childhood holiday adventures with the clean energy found in these no-bake bites. Add a little extra texture and color with crushed candy canes, or stick with pure peppermint extract for a healthier treat. Cocoa powder and honey are both full of beneficial nutrients, and almond butter will keep you satiated all afternoon.
Ingredients
- ½ cup, plus 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder, unsweetened
- 4 Tbsp. monk fruit-sweetened maple syrup
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- ¼ cup almond butter, unsweetened
- ¼ cup unflavored or vanilla protein powder
- ½ tsp. peppermint extract (¼ tsp. if using crushed candy canes)
- ¼ tsp. sea salt
- 2–4 Tbsp. crushed candy canes (optional)
- Up to 4 Tbsp. water, for consistency
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, thoroughly combine all ingredients except crushed candy canes and water
- Add water one tablespoon at a time, if needed, until batter is well combined and slightly sticky
- Almond butters and syrups vary in consistency, so you may need to experiment to find the perfect moisture level
- Add crushed candy canes and stir to combine
- Chill for 10–15 minutes
- Divide the dough and roll into balls by hand
- Chill for 20 minutes before serving; store for up to one week in the fridge
Happy Holidays Green + Red Charcuterie Board
The Healthy Hit of Every Party
A charcuterie board offers a spectrum of fun, seasonal flavors and colors and allows guests to curate their perfect plate. Make sure your serving board is big enough for all the foods you plan to place. But don’t worry too much—a tightly-packed charcuterie board is Instagram-worthy. Everyone will be impressed by your striking presentation while enjoying the health benefits of whole foods like nuts and fresh fruit.
Sweet Ideas
- Unsweetened, dried goji berries
- Baked pear chips
- Red pepper jelly (trust us, it’s ?delish?)
- Green and red grapes
- Sliced kiwi
- Pomegranate seeds
Savory Staples
- Cured meats, such as pastrami, salami, and prosciutto
- Mild cheeses, such as brie, Leicester, and Havarti
- Toasted walnuts and almonds
- Dill and rosemary sprigs
- Thinly sliced baguette
- Fig and rosemary crackers
Keto Gingerbread Cake – Serves 9
Ultimate Indulgence, None of the Carbs
Beyond being the best make-believe building material, gingerbread is a truly decadent treat. Enjoy this tasty, moist gingerbread cake without any molasses or brown sugar to slow you down. This cake tastes like the real thing, and it features almond flour, a low-glycemic alternative flour.
Ingredients
- ½ Tbsp. unsalted butter, to grease pan
- 4 large eggs
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup monk fruit sweetener
- 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder, unsweetened
- 1 Tbsp. fresh ginger root, minced
- ½ tsp. kosher salt
- 1 ½ cups almond flour, blanched
- ½ tsp. baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 °F
- Grease a glass 8×8 inch baking dish with butter
- Mix eggs, milk, melted butter, monk fruit sweetener, cinnamon, cocoa powder, ginger, and kosher salt in a medium bowl until well combined
- Stir in almond flour, then baking soda
- Pour batter into baking dish and bake for 20 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean
- Place baking dish on cooling rack for 20 minutes; cut into squares to serve
Make Your Own Merry
The best part of baking any homemade holiday goodie is the time spent in the kitchen with friends and family—crafting every recipe or enjoying every guilt-free bite. We hope you enjoy these seasonal recipes as much as we do.
