Here are some of the foods I’ll be eating this holiday season (or will have eaten) and some good nutrition news about them.
Christmas charcuterie
- Cheese: good source of calcium, potassium, some satisfying fat and protein
- Sausage (or sausage cheese puffs): satisfying fat and protein
- Crackers: fiber, B vitamins
- Various fruits: fiber, water, hydration, vitamin C, vitamin A, various antioxidants
- Nuts: satisfying and heart healthy fats, minerals like iron and calcium
Also, no cooking required. This is what we’re having after Christmas Eve service so nobody gets hangry while waiting for a meal to cook
My grandma’s applesauce
- Because it’s made with the peels, it’s higher in fiber than the applesauce you get in a jar
- Fun fact, my grandpa says applesauce made without peels is babyfood
- A delicious way to get a serving of fruit
- Includes lots of cinnamon, a powerful antioxidant and delicious flavor enhancer
Donuts
- This is one of the first Christmas traditions that is just me and my husbands
- We usually have it the day we leave to visit family, or the first day off.
- Donuts are energy dense – rich in carbohydrates and fats!
- I always try and have scrambled eggs with them (protein) so I don’t get a sugar crash later
Tri-tip/Steak
- This is a new Christmas meal for me this year
- Steak is high in iron and B vitamins
- It’s also rich in protein
Salad
- A serving of vegetables
- Depending on the contents, provides water, fiber, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K
- Will probably use a dressing to add some satisfying healthy fats
- And some seasonal fruit for color and texture
- Probably the traditionally healthiest thing on this list, but just one part of my Christmas nutrition