Our Favorite Healthy Recipes, Perfect for the Holidays

You can smell it already: scents of gingerbread and cinnamon in the air. You catch a whiff of fresh pine every time you pass the Christmas tree. You’re dreaming of sugar plums and holiday delights. If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. After all, the holidays are here, and chefs and home-kitchen cooks across the country are perusing recipe books looking for the best tasty recipes to try this holiday season. But unfortunately, so many of these holiday recipes are chock-full of sugar and other ingredients that aren’t good for the teeth or the rest of your body. So why not try some recipes that will enable a healthy and happy holiday?

The holiday season coming around doesn’t mean you have to indulge in high-calorie foods that are bad for your teeth and waistline. There are plenty of amazing recipes out there that are tasty and good for you too. Sometimes, you just need to know where to look or who to talk to. Thankfully, we’re in the know and have some fantastic recipes to share with you. And where did we get them from? We got them from you, our loyal patients here at Oxley Comprehensive Dental. Read on to learn more and give some new recipes a try this holiday season.

1. Maple and Apple Cider Brined Tomahawk Pork Chops

Protein is a fundamental part of our daily diet. It plays a vital role in maintaining every cell in our bodies. Protein fuels our cells and powers our bodies. This delicious maple and apple cider brined tomahawk pork chops recipe is packed full of protein and flavor too. You will need to do some advanced planning on this one since the chops need to sit in the brine for 12 to 24 hours before cooking. But trust us, the extra effort will be worth it.

2. Healthy Fried Chicken

What is it they say? You can take the cook out of North Carolina, but you can’t take North Carolina out of the cook? Something like that. But regardless, we know North Carolinians love fried chicken. But most fried chicken recipes contain trans fat, which raises your low-density lipoprotein (LDL), aka the bad cholesterol. Too much LDL can lead to heart disease. So this holiday season, indulge in a healthy fried chicken recipe that is good for your whole-body health and will leave you wondering why you didn’t try it sooner.

3. Chicken Broccoli Mac and Cheese With Bacon

We southerners love our macaroni and cheese. But unfortunately, it’s not all that good for our waistlines. That said, macaroni and cheese is often a favorite side dish at holiday tables across the southern states. So if you can’t do without mac and cheese this holiday season, try this lower-calorie version. This chicken broccoli mac and cheese with bacon sneaks in the veggies and leverages turmeric to enhance the color of the dish and make you think it is cheesier than it is. With under 350 calories per serving, this mac and cheese side dish is sure to be a holiday crowd-pleaser.

4. Homestyle Green Bean Casserole

It wouldn’t be the holidays without green bean casserole on the table. But even though green beans are the main ingredient, this traditional recipe isn’t the best for our waistlines or cholesterol. So what if you could lighten the load, so to speak, without sacrificing the flavor? We have the perfect recipe for you. This homestyle green bean casserole recipe skips the cream of mushroom soup and uses fresh mushrooms instead. But don’t worry, you won’t have to skip out on the crunchy onions; we promise they’re in there.

5. Chocolate Pudding

It wouldn’t be the holidays without some desserts on the side table. But rarely do the terms healthy food and holiday dessert go together. So why not go for a lower-calorie option that will go perfectly with the kids’ Christmas treats? This chocolate pudding recipe is both decadent and guilt-free, requiring only six ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your kitchen pantry or refrigerator. This recipe is so easy that young kids might enjoy helping you make it. Even better, this recipe is under 250 calories per serving and contains only one quarter cup of sugar, so it is good for your teeth too. 

6. Farmer’s Market Overnight Breakfast Egg Casserole

Why not start your Christmas morning off right with a hearty but heart-healthy egg bake? As with the pork chops, this recipe will require some advanced preparation. But when it comes to the busyness of Christmas morning, most at-home cooks will appreciate one less thing to do when the kids are racing toward the Christmas tree or fireplace to see what Santa has brought. This egg bake is packed with protein and vegetables and won’t leave you feeling lethargic after indulging. This farmer’s market overnight breakfast egg casserole recipe is good for your overall health, too, so you can enjoy it without guilt. 

7. Santa Hat Jell-O Shooters

You may have read the name of this tasty holiday treat and assumed it is just for the adults. But this Santa hat Jell-O shooters recipe is excellent for people of all ages. Add some liquor for adults or leave it as is for the kids. This recipe contains far fewer calories than the typical Christmas cookie, as long as it is enjoyed in moderation. And even better, little kids will love placing the strawberry-inspired Santa hats on top of the prepared jello.

Share your healthy and tasty holiday recipes with the team at Oxley Comprehensive Dental.

We love cooking healthy meals for our families, and it’s no different during the holiday season. Even more so, we love great recipe recommendations from our patients, so be sure to share your favorite tasty treat recipe with us at your next dental cleaning. If you are overdue for an oral examination and cleaning, now is the time to request an appointment. We look forward to seeing you and drooling over your amazing healthy holiday recipe recommendations.