Balanced holiday menu ideas

The year-end holidays are approaching, and it will soon be time to prepare the festive menu. Many would like to offer a healthy meal without sacrificing the pleasure of tasting, but don't know where to start. In this article, you will find tips for creating a balanced holiday menu as well as three menu suggestions for your New Year's Eve dinner.

What is a balanced holiday menu?

A balanced holiday menu:

1. Include a variety of foods from the different groups (vegetables and fruits, whole grain foods, and protein foods)
2. Limit the use of highly processed foods
3. Favor water as a drink (or consume alcohol in moderation, after all, it’s the holidays)
4. Takes your dietary preferences into account

How to proceed?

Here are some tips for creating a balanced holiday menu:

1. Plan your holiday menu in advance by selecting your recipes and making your grocery list. This will help you optimize your time at the store and avoid forgetting anything.
2. Plan ahead for cooking. For example, by preparing recipes that can be cooked in advance and frozen. This way, you reduce your workload on Christmas Day and limit your consumption of highly processed foods.
3. Ask for help with menu planning and preparation. The holiday season is a great time to get children, family, and friends involved in the kitchen.

Some ideas for balanced holiday menus

1. Traditional Holiday Menu

Entrance: Cabbage salad

Main courseStuffed turkey served with cranberry sauce, wild rice, and roasted vegetables

Dessert: Yule Log 

This traditional holiday menu allows the use of local and seasonal products, such as cabbage and cranberry, both rich in antioxidants.

2. Vegetarian Holiday Menu

Entrance: Pumpkin soup

Main course: Mushroom Risotto

Dessert: Tiramisu

This vegetarian holiday menu also highlights local and seasonal vegetables (squash, mushrooms) while drawing inspiration from Italian recipes. Additionally, winter squash is an important source of vitamin C, which contributes to the absorption of plant-based iron.

3. Marine Holiday Menu

Entrance: Scallops

Main course: Salmon parcels with vegetables (flavored with good olive oil)

Dessert: Pavlova with mixed berries, drizzled with a splash of strawberry or raspberry balsamic vinegar

Finally, this festive seafood menu highlights seafood products, such as salmon, a fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, beneficial for heart health.

Wishing you one good preparation and of jturning lathes fêtes !  🎅🤶🎄

Article written by:

Marie-Noël Marsan, Nutritionist