5 Simple Ways: Host a Holiday Gathering with a Healthy Twist
Wheat Farm on the Palouse (Credit - JW_PNW)
5 Simple Ways: Host a Holiday Gathering with a Healthy Twist
BY MONIKA JACOBSONThe holidays are about spending quality time with family and friends expressing love and gratitude, but there's always plenty of food and drink to go around, too. Registered Dietitian Monika Jacobson of Spokane gives us tips to hosting a holiday gathering this year with a healthy twist!
Close your eyes and picture a beautiful tablescape complete with delectable favorite holiday foods, festive décor, and those familiar faces around the table (for better or worse). This is what the holidays are about quality time with family and friends expressing love and gratitude. But guess what? The food and drink are just as important in my opinion! After all, I am a Registered Dietitian so talking food is my jam. Last year due to the pandemic, the holidays were quiet and simple for many of us. Thankfully the vaccines have made it safer for us to gather with loved ones. So let’s talk about hosting a holiday gathering this year with a healthy twist!
Focus on Local & Seasonal Vegetables
Vegetables can be easily forgotten but shouldn’t be. Try a new veggie side such as roasted root vegetables, beet salad, or a squash soup. If you have a charcuterie board, add cut vegetables, olives and some tasty spreads in addition to the meat and cheeses.
If you are making a green salad, add some extra antioxidants with brightly colored additions to the leafy stuff--peppers, carrots, jicama, sweet potatoes or even some fruit like apples, cranberries or pomegranate seeds. Vegetables will provide all the nutrition without the calorie punch! They also contain lots of fiber, so you will feel fuller. Don’t forget to save a bit of room for that pie though!
Festive Mocktails for a Crowd
Offer non-alcoholic options that are novel and festive. Alcohol consumption goes up for many of us during the holidays. One way to be mindful of alcohol this time of year is to alternate water between the alcoholic libations. Also, some people don’t drink, so having options is key. Set up a flavored water station with sparkling waters or infused water with mint, cucumber, cranberries or oranges. You could also make a festive signature mocktail such as my Pomegranate Rosemary Spritz.
Simply Serve Your Favorite Foods
When you’re the host, you decide the menu. Think about those treasured holiday recipes that you love. These are the ones that make the holidays complete and bring back fond memories or emotions. Make these ones and skip the “traditional” stuff you don’t care about as much. For me, I’ll skip the mashed potatoes but give me all the turkey stuffing!
Portions!
Match the plate size to the meal. For a cocktail party with appetizers, provide small plates. For a full prime rib dinner, you probably need the big ones. But research has shown that people are less likely to overeat when they are eating on smaller plates. It never hurts to have both options. Also you can reduce food waste by precutting some recipes into individual servings. People can always go back for seconds. This is especially true with pie!
Host Non-Food Activities
Aside from standing around eating for hours, plan something fun to do that is away from the food table. Set up a photo booth with cheesy holiday garb, play some games, throw a gift exchange, go caroling or set up a crafting station for kids. Maybe this is the year to start a new tradition of a family Turkey Trot or a Christmas Eve sledding party.
Whatever you do, have fun with it. We all need a good excuse to let loose and enjoy! Happy Holidays!
