Healthy Christmas recipes for the whole family

Christmas means bringing the whole family together at the table and sharing the meal with joy and fun! However, this season, healthy Christmas recipes are not the predominant ones.

More frequent are heavy meals, with exaggerated portions, accompanied by alcoholic drinks and very sweet desserts. There are many nutritionists who warn against excess calories at this time. In fact, we often consume more than 3000 calories in a Christmas meal.

But is it possible to prepare healthy Christmas meals without losing the festive touch? The answer is: yes!

And, to keep your peace of mind, know that this doesn’t mean eating tasteless dishes, or boycotting the unhealthy foods we all love to eat at parties. The important thing is to know how to combine them with healthier options!

We offer it to you here 5 ideas for healthy and original Christmas recipes. Find out how to prepare healthy and delicious Christmas meals and desserts.

The excesses of Christmas

The exaggerations linked to the Christmas holidays have, in fact, negative health consequences.

During the Christmas period – on the eve and on the 25th in particular – we eat more than usual. So it’s no surprise that digestive problems are common this time of year.

A high calorie intake can also cause anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Not to mention the food poisoning! In addition, it is important to take into account the sharp increase in sugar and cholesterol levels. Christmas excesses increase the risk of cardiovascular diseasein people with high cholesterol.

The good news is that it is possible to enjoy healthy Christmas recipes without having to give up traditional dishes.

Healthy Christmas recipe ideas

How about trying some healthy dishes at Consoada? This year is your chance! Here are some healthy recipes that everyone will like.

1. Pumpkin soup with toast

For starters, a comforting dish for the cold and, above all, healthy! Pumpkin is rich in antioxidants that delay cellular aging. It is also an excellent source of vitamin Dwhich helps with calcium absorption.

How to prepare pumpkin soup

Put a liter of water in a pan and add the pumpkin peeled and cut into pieces. You can also enrich the soup with other vegetables, e.g carrot, leek and potato. Add a pinch of salt and olive oil and leave to cook on low heat for half an hour. Then just grind it until it becomes creamy. And that’s it: A fabulous option for the start of Christmas Eve!

💡Add a topping! To make it more festive, try adding a few toast prepared in the oven or air fryer. Instead of frying the pieces of bread, try toasting them in the oven for 10 minutes at 220ºC, or for 10-20 minutes at 200ºC. air fryer. This way you will avoid overloading the dish with fat.

2. Quinoa salad with shrimp

Why not use this typical Christmas fish in a healthy recipe? Combining with the Quinoa, What It is rich in amino acids, proteins, iron, phosphorus and calcium.

How to make quinoa salad

Before cooking the Quinoaremember to wash it well to remove the bitter saponin! Once washed, cook it as if it were rice, for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, place the sheets of canons And rocket in a bowl and add some blueberries. Wait for the quinoa to cool before adding it to the rest of the salad ingredients.

Season using a sauce vinaigrette with Kefira spoonful of Dijon mustard and two tablespoons of balsamic vinegar. Finally decorate with cooked and peeled prawnsto give a festive touch.

3. Souffle tomato and goat cheese

Maybe you’ve never dared to make this recipe, but the truth is that it’s not that difficult! Furthermore, it is the ideal dish if you are looking for healthy Christmas recipes. And, in addition to being vegetarian, you can make it with organic tomatoes and eggs.

How to do the soufflé tomato

For this recipe you can use any baking tray. Wash and cut the tomato sliced. Do the same with the goat cheese. Arrange a layer of tomato slices on the bottom of the baking dish and then a layer of goat’s cheese slices, alternating the two ingredients until the pan is full.

To prepare the soufflé, separate it 4 or 5 egg whites and beat them in a castle. Season the egg yolks with a little pepper and thyme and add the egg whites. Cover the tomato and cheese with this mixture and bake at 200°C for 45 minutes.

💡 Useful tip: Add a pinch of salt to the egg whites when whipping them, as the salt helps give them more stability. But don’t overdo it with quantities! In addition to being unhealthy, it can have the opposite effect on the texture of egg whites.

4. Turn roasted and stuffed turkey into one of your healthy Christmas recipes

Forget the typical roast and opt for a stuffed turkey, a decidedly healthier option. First of all, turkey stands out for contributing to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, thanks to its low fat content. Secondly, it is an excellent source of iron and protein, which are ideal for growth. Finally, dried fruit, used in the filling, also promotes memory and the proper functioning of the brain.

How to prepare roast turkey

For the filling use plums, walnuts and grated apple. You can also add Leek And onion braised. Mix all ingredients, add minced meat and season to taste.

Fill the Peru with this mixture, giving it a round and appetizing shape. Then, secure the skin with a toothpick or sew the opening with a needle and kitchen thread, to prevent the juices from escaping during cooking. Brush the skin with a little oil and cook in the oven at 180°C for 2 hours.

💡 Useful tip: To make preparation easier, purchase a turkey that is already boned and cleaned. You’ll save a good half hour in terms of preparation!

5. Crispy prawns on a bed of mushrooms

Shrimp is a source of iron. It also contains calcium and phosphorus, promoting healthy bones and teeth. And even if it’s not normally a favorite of little ones, if you prepare them this way they certainly won’t complain!

How to prepare crispy shrimp