The holiday season brings friends and families together at the end of the year to celebrate. It is the big feast that heightens the anticipation for the holidays. Holiday dinners tend to be quite the banquet, so it is easy to go overboard and indulge in every single dish on the table. Since you are already destined to end up in a food coma, making your holiday dishes a bit healthier, may help put less stress on your body during the holidays.
Here are some simple tips and tricks to make a healthier Holiday Feast:
- Substitute Westpoint All-Purpose Gluten-free flour instead of using All-Purpose White flour
This substitution makes it possible for all your guests, including the ones that do not consume any gluten, to enjoy your holiday baking creations. You can substitute it 1:1 in recipes as the binding agent is added.
- Exchange Quinoa for Couscous
Quinoa is a whole-grain superfood and a complete plant-based protein. It is a good substitute for any Couscous dish, as it has a similar texture and is more nutrient dense.
- Use ground flax seeds instead of bread crumbs
By using brown or golden flax meal instead of bread crumbs, you are not only getting a healthy dose of Omega-3s, but lowering your sodium intake as well.
- Sprinkle some nuts, instead of croutons in your salad
Salads always need a good crunch. Add your favourite medley of nuts to your leafy greens. Walnuts, pine nuts, almonds and pistachios surely enhance the flavour and texture of any salad.
- Substitute Cacao Nibs for chocolate chips
Cacao nibs are the roasted pieces of cocoa beans before they are turned into chocolate. Using less-processed cacao bits helps you cut out any additives and added sugar in chocolate chips. Plus, they contain a healthy dose of antioxidants.
- Use Chia for eggs
Combine 1 tablespoon of Chia Seeds with 3 tablespoons of water to make 1 chia egg. Use this instead of regular eggs to veganize your recipes or if you are looking to reduce your cholesterol intake. Chia seeds are best known for being an excellent source of Omega 3 fatty acids.
- Snack on Popcorn instead of potato chips
Popcorn is a great substitution to your oily and salty potato chips as it a whole-grain that satisfies your snack cravings. Try seasoning it with our Garlic Himalayan Salt or Red Hot Sea Salt.
- Substitute half the sugar in any baking recipe with Monk Fruit Powder
Monk Fruit Powder is a zero calorie alternative for baking that gets its sweetness from antioxidants called Mogrosides. Our Monk Fruit Powder has naturally a fruity aroma and a sweet taste. It is completely natural as it has no fillers or any additives.
- Use Coconut or Almond Flour in your pie crust
Not only are these great low carb options, but they are also gluten-free, making it suitable for those with celiac disease.
- Use natural pigments such as Beet or Turmeric powder instead of artificial food colours
Artificial food colours contain harmful chemicals that may cause allergic reactions and other harmful health effects. On the contrary, natural pigments contain loads of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that only boost your health.
We hope these tips and simple substitutions to your holiday baking and cooking inspire you to create healthy dishes for your friends and family.
Share with us your favourite holiday dishes, write to us on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We would love to hear from you!
Happy Holidays from all the staff at Westpoint Naturals!
Shoutout to @conniekyleung for the cutest and very festive cookies!