It’s that time of year again, and you know what that means! Time for massive amounts of holiday pies, cookies, stuffing, and more…or does it?
While many gladly partake in this food extravaganza (us included!) for those in the middle of tournament season or who are trying to meet certain fitness goals, the approaching holidays and all that comes with them can be fairly intimidating, if not at times stressful. But do not worry! Macho is here to help guide you with some healthy recipes so that your fitness journey stays right where you want it to. Ready to dive in?
Appetizers
This delicious appetizer makes use of some of our favorite fall foods. Not only are these sweet potatoes jam-packed with nutrients and fall flavor, but its toppings are as well!
When it comes to appetizers the lighter they are the better, especially on Thanksgiving day! This recipe is both easy to make AND light on the stomach, so you and your guests don’t get too full before the feasting begins!
All you need for this easy recipe are pears, prosciutto, gorgonzola cheese, and some lemon and greens to garnish, making it as satisfyingly light way to start Thanksgiving eating.
The Main Feast
Now we know how passionate people get when it comes to the turkey and stuffing, but for those of you willing to switch it up this year, try out this rice and quinoa based one instead. It is packed with fresh herbs, apples, cranberries and pecans, giving it that wonderful fall feel. The quinoa also adds protein to it, so if you or any of your guests are vegan or vegetarian, this can serve as their main dish.
Lose the added preservatives (and calories!) that are found in canned mushroom soup and serve up this green bean casserole instead. The fresh veggies and herbs are way more flavorful (and healthier) than anything you’ll find in a can.
Still itching for those mashed potatoes? OK, we’ll help you out. This recipe gives you that delicious mashed potato and gravy taste we all so crave, but swaps out 1/3 of the potatoes for cauliflower instead. This cuts down on the carbs and calories you would get from the traditional version, without sacrificing flavor.
The Treats
Would you like to indulge in some delicious pumpkin pie, but without the guilt? In this sugar-free, gluten-free, low carb recipe you get just that! This recipe also just has 5 ingredients (plus the almond flour crust), and can easily be made into a paleo version if needed. With just 4g of carbs per slice, this definitely has a spot on our table!
Pumpkin not your thing? How about these Salted Caramel Apple Parfaits instead? These are a wonderful treat that is nut allergy-friendly, gluten-free, and dairy-free, and can even be made ahead of time so you don’t have to worry about it day-of.