Holiday time is festive and fun and it’s also that time of year when our clients come to us wanting some tips for how they can eat a little more than they normally would and indulge here and there without going off the deep end—but also without feeling deprived!
We want you all to do this and to enjoy the holiday season, some festive foods without feeling guilty and without packing on the pounds! So we’ve got some healthy eating with these tips to help you.
(Looking for more lightened up desserts? Please try some of our other popular dessert balls like our Chocolate Drizzled Granola Balls, our White Chocolate Drizzled Wild Blueberry Granola Balls and Chocolate Coconut Chia Balls)
Tips to keep it Yummy & Healthy in the holiday season:
1. Make swaps that save loads of calories but still taste delish! Instead of using just straight- up potatoes, mash them together with cauliflower for a low- cal side dish! Your tastebuds won’t notice the difference—but your waistline will—we promise!
2. Serve healthy pre-dinner foods. Serve up a light salad or a light soup before dinner so you’re less likely to over-do it at dinner time!
3. Use this trick for portion control. To eat lower amounts of the foods high in fat and calories simply mix steamed veggies into your meal—this way they take on the flavor of the higher calorie food but take up space on your plate so you have less room for the heavy stuff.
4. Sip don’t slip. Before adding soda or wine to your dinner, which could cause you to go down the slippery path of drinking lots of calories – first sip a full glass of water, seltzer or iced tea—they’ll take up space in your stomach without calories—and give you time to evaluate if you really want a calorie-packed bev!
And in addition to keeping these tips in mind to better later J… Try these Oreo No-Bake Mint Balls!
Oreo No-Bake Mint Balls
Serves: 24, serving size: 1 ball
Ingredients
- 1 package(s) Oreos
- 8 ounce(s) block of light cream cheese (room temperature)
- 1 bar semisweet baking chocolate (white) (for use if dipping the balls in chocolate at the end*)
- 1 small box Peppermint candy canes (crushed)
*With this recipe you can dip half the Oreo balls in white chocolate at the end or leave as is, which is delish and has fewer calories. Both ways are scrumptious!
Directions
- Place unwrapped candy canes in a a large Ziploc bag and crush. This may be easier with the side of a rolling pin or a mallet .
- Next, empty the package of Oreos in a food processor and blend until they look like crumbs. Add cream cheese and mix in food processor until well combined. If you are not dipping the balls in chocolate at the end, also add the crush peppermint into the balls now.
- Next, form into 1-inch balls, then place in the fridge for at least one hour to chill.
- If, you are dipping the balls in chocolate: Prepare chocolate bar according to package directions. Dip one-half of each of the balls in the melted chocolate and place on wax or parchment paper. Finish by sprinkling with crushed candy canes.
Do you have any healthy holiday tips? How do you bake healthfully?
Nutrition Facts (For each ball with half dipped in White Chocolate): 139 calories, 9 g fat, 4 g saturated fat, 117 mg sodium, 16 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 8 g sugar, 3 g protein
Nutrition Facts (for each ball not dipped in chocolate): 95 calories, 4 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 116 mg sodium, 13 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 8 g sugar, 2 g protein
If you like this recipe you may also like:
For more delicious, healthy comfort foods, check out The Nutrition Twins’ Veggie Cure!!
- 1 package(s) Oreos
- 8 ounce(s) block of light cream cheese (room temperature)
- 1 bar semisweet baking chocolate (white) (for use if dipping the balls in chocolate at the end*)
- 1 small box Peppermint candy canes (crushed)
- *With this recipe you can dip half the Oreo balls in white chocolate at the end or leave as is, which is delish and has fewer calories. Both ways are scrumptious!
- Place unwrapped candy canes in a a large Ziploc bag and crush. This may be easier with the side of a rolling pin or a mallet .
- Next, empty the package of Oreos in a food processor and blend until they look like crumbs. Add cream cheese and mix in food processor until well combined. If you are not dipping the balls in chocolate at the end, also add the crush peppermint into the balls now.
- Next, form into 1-inch balls, then place in the fridge for at least one hour to chill.
- If, you are dipping the balls in chocolate: Prepare chocolate bar according to package directions. Dip one-half of each of the balls in the melted chocolate and place on wax or parchment paper. Finish by sprinkling with crushed candy canes.
- Do you have any healthy holiday tips? How do you bake healthfully?