Balanced holiday menu ideas

The end-of-year holidays are approaching, and it will soon be time to prepare the holiday 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. Includes a variety of foods from different groups (vegetables and fruits, whole grain foods, and protein foods)
2. Limits the use of highly processed foods
3. Favors water as a beverage (or consumes 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. Set aside time to cook. 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 planning and preparing the menu. The holiday season is a great time to involve children, family, and friends in the kitchen.

Some ideas for balanced holiday menus

1. Traditional holiday menu

Starter: Cabbage salad

Main course: Stuffed turkey served with cranberry sauce, wild rice, and roasted vegetables

Dessert: Yule log

This traditional holiday menu uses local and seasonal products, such as cabbage and cranberries, both rich in antioxidants.

2. Vegetarian holiday menu

Starter: Squash 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 ofvitamin C, which helps with the absorption of plant-based iron.

3. Seafood holiday menu

Starter: Scallops

Main course: Salmon and vegetable papillotes (flavored with good olive oil)

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

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

Wishing youa good preparationand happyholidays! 🎅🤶🎄

Article written by:

Marie-Noël Marsan, written in 2021.