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 eating, but don't know where to start. In this article, you will find tips for putting together 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. Incorporates a variety of foods from different groups (vegetables and fruits, whole grain foods and protein foods)
2. Limit the use of highly processed foods
3. Prefer 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 putting together a balanced holiday menu:

1. Plan your holiday menu in advance by selecting your recipes and making your grocery list. This will allow you to optimize your time at the grocery store and avoid forgetting things.
2. Allow time 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 kids, family and friends involved in the kitchen.

Some ideas for balanced holiday menus

1. Traditional holiday menu

Entrance: Coleslaw

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

Dessert: Christmas log

This traditional holiday menu uses local and seasonal produce, like cabbage and cranberries, both rich in antioxidants.

2. Vegetarian holiday menu

Entrance: Pumpkin soup

Main course: Mushroom risotto

Dessert: Tiramisu

This vegetarian holiday menu also gives pride of place to local and seasonal vegetables (squash, mushrooms) while drawing inspiration from recipes of Italian origin. Additionally, winter squashes are an important source of vitamin C, which contributes to the absorption of iron of plant origin.

3. Marine holiday menu

Entrance: Scallop shells

Main course: Salmon papillotes with vegetables (flavored with one of our wonderful olive oils infused with Olives and Gourmandises)

Dessert: Pavlova with berries, sprinkled with a dash of strawberry balsamic vinegar or to the raspberry

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

Wishing you a Good preparation and of joyous fare ! 🎅🤶🎄

Article written by:

Marie-Noël Marsan, Nutritionist