5 Foods to Avoid During the Holidays

Meaghan Fitzgibbon • December 5, 2022

Are you afraid of gaining the dreaded holiday weight?

Whether you or someone you know has been struggling with weight loss, there are some alternatives to popular holiday dishes that are sure to delight your whole family—and maybe even change traditional holiday dining for the better!

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a staple side dish in almost every household, not only during the holiday season but year-round. Many variations are available, but did you know that 1 serving of mashed potatoes can contain upwards of 30+ carbs? Fear not, there is a great alternative! Cauliflower Mash is a wonderful replacement for all that starch.

Ingredients:

• 1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp fresh chopped chives

Instructions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add cauliflower florets. Cook for about 6 minutes, or until soft.
2. Once cauliflower is finished cooking, drain well, and pat between several layers of paper towels until very dry. Place in a large mixing bowl.
3. Add in butter and garlic.
4. With an immersion blender or potato masher, combine until creamy.
5. Season with salt & pepper and stir in fresh chives.
6. Serve immediately & enjoy!

Pies (and other store-bought desserts)

While purchasing a dessert from your local food shop sounds like an easy way to bring something sweet to the table, there are far better options! Those desserts are packed with tons of added sugar. These foods are also void of fiber and have no nutritional value. If you are looking for a low-carb treat, you still can have something sweet that is good for you!

Mixing any one of our shakes or puddings with ¼ of unsweetened almond milk can make a great single serving of ice cream. I’ve tried it myself and I can honestly say it hits the spot! Just make sure to freeze it for a few hours before enjoying it.

Chips and Dip

Air-fried veggies are a great substitute for chips. Paired with a homemade healthy dip, this will be a no-guilt treat to tide you over until your main course.

A great alternative chip that is my new personal favorite: Radish Chips.

All you need is an air fryer, some seasoning, and you’ll have a delicious crunchy veggie to get you through your chip craving in no time.

Ingredients:

• One bag of radish slices, or you may cut your own
• 1/2 tbsp Avocado oil
• salt
• pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder

Instructions:

1. Wash and pat dry radish slices. Place radishes in air fryer basket and spread out evenly. Spritz 3-4 times with oil. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
2. Cook in air fryer for 5 minutes at 370°. Give them a little stir and cook another 5 minutes. Spritz 3-4 more times with oil after 10 minutes and sprinkle with a little more salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
3. Cook another 5 minutes and give them another stir. Cook another 3 more minutes keeping a close eye that they don’t get too crispy.

Eggplant Dip

Primal Kitchen’s Caesar Dressing and Green Goddess Dressing are great dips for your veggies!

Dinner Rolls

Sugar, carbs, inflammation…OH MY!

Bread, like many appetizers, is filler. Just like chips, it can be hard to have just one. Instead of having bread, opt for one of the chip alternatives listed above, or try having more water throughout the evening to keep you feeling full. Opting out of the rolls will leave room for all the delicious food you have ready for your holiday dinner!

Sodas (and other sugary beverages)

Surprise! While sodas are not a food group, they are in fact very popular during gatherings. Replacing a can of Dr. P with Zevia (or even flavored sparkling water) will help keep your blood sugar from rising and keep you on track.

I know it’s very hard with everyone around you who might not be following the plan you are, but don’t feel discouraged. See some examples of enhancing your drinking experience around the holidays:

> You are allowed 1-2 ounces of any hard alcohol per week while on the program! Try 1-2 oz of vodka mixed with any of your favorite (program-approved) flavored seltzers and you have a great drink.

> Try bringing a few Zevia sodas with you to a holiday party, or if you’re the host have a few extra on hand. Others may get jealous you have a low-carb, zero-sugar soda and may try to take your stash!

> Hint water is a great-tasting fruit-infused water option. Here’s a link in case you’d like to see if this would be a good option for you.

To conclude, the holidays can be a stressful ordeal. There can be a lot of peer pressure to cave in and indulge during this time. Once you understand that these foods harm you more than they do good, it’ll be much easier to opt for any of the healthy alternatives listed above. Remember why you started! We are always here for you to tackle these cravings, let us know how we can assist you.