Don’t want to add on the extra pounds this holiday season? There is an easier way to cook this holiday season without all the extra calories. The holiday season has finally arrived, which means the season of treats, dips, and grandma’s famous pasta dish peaked. The weather is getting colder, but your kitchen can be getting warmer with the scents and warmth coming out of your oven. Even if you are a beginner, it’s always good to bring cheers to others with holiday treats in a healthy way. Turn on your tv, put your favorite Christmas movie on and get to baking.

You can do many things to make your holidays healthier by just substituting certain ingredients. I interviewed Mrs.Nace, a nutrition and wellness teacher here at Pennridge, and she believes that adding unusual ingredients to make your recipe healthier does not affect the yummy taste. She also stated that the recipes you make don’t matter. It’s all portion control. It’s okay to go “off the rails” during the holidays, but the portion is also really important. “If you take care of yourself all year round, the holidays won’t have an impact on your body,” said Mrs. Nace. You can still have a good holiday and enjoy all your snacks and treats without putting on the extra weight. Mrs. Nace does recommend making your dishes, so you know what you’re eating. If you’re going to a party, bring your food so you know what you’re consuming rather than all the other food there that could be very unhealthy.

Some tips you can add to your cooking this holiday season may sound odd but will help you out. If you want to reduce your sugar intake, you can use sugar-free items or replace your sugar with Splenda or sweetener. We take in more sodium than we think, but you can decrease that by just cutting the salt out of home-cooked meals. My mother, Susan Casper, is an Arbonne Consultant, and I sat down and asked her how we could make our holiday healthier. “I make changes in your dinner all the time by adding and taking out things that are supposed to make the food taste better, but you never notice,” said Casper.  That proves that there is no difference in the food, so if it tastes the same and is healthier, it’s a win-win situation for everyone. By replacing all these ingredients, it can reduce fat, sugar, sodium, and carbohydrates.

Now it is time for you to show off your new cooking and baking skills and enjoy your holiday season with family and friends. You will have a head start on the new year and will be ready to continue healthier recipes. Try some new and improved dishes and make the perfect healthy option for everyone to try. Before you know it, family and friends will be asking for those recipes.