16 Holiday Recipes That Real Healthy People Actually Eat

    For when you're trying to eat healthy but also enjoy the season.

    Sally Tamarkin
    by Sally Tamarkin

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Amy Sefton / BuzzFeed

    Did you know that healthier eating — even during the holidays — doesn't have to be sad and boring?

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    To prove it, we rounded up 16 healthier recipes that your friends and family won't hate you for bringing to the holiday party.

    gifsboom.net

    We asked food bloggers, healthy-food enthusiasts, and nutritionists to share with us their go-to holiday recipes that are:

    - healthier than typical holiday fare

    - really freaking tasty

    - not overly complicated to make/don’t require hard-to-get ingredients

    - enjoyable to anyone at the table, no matter their food or health goals

    Check them out below!

    1. Twice Baked Sweet Potato with Warm Wild Blueberries

    Danielle Omar / Via foodconfidence.com

    "I love this creamy double-baked delight because it's the perfect amount of sweet and savory. Not only does it look beautiful on the table, it's healthy, too. Loaded with antioxidants, beta carotene, vitamin C, and fiber, this duo is a match made in nutrition heaven."

    Get the recipe here.

    —Danielle Omar, M.S., registered dietitian, integrative dietitian at Food Confidence

    2. Maple Glazed Ginger Brussels Sprouts

    Instagram: @foodheavenshow / Via instagram.com

    "Brussels sprouts get such a bad rap, but we live for this maple glazed ginger variation. There's literally no going wrong with the three main ingredients: maple syrup, sesame oil, and fresh chopped ginger."

    Get the recipe here.

    —Wendy Lopez, M.S., R.D., and Jessica Jones, M.S., R.D., of Food Heaven Made Easy

    3. Pumpkin Bean Dip

    Anne Mauney / Via fannetasticfood.com

    "One of my absolute favorite quick, easy, and delicious appetizers to bring to holiday parties is my pumpkin hummus. It's packed with protein from the beans, and the pumpkin adds an extra nutrition punch and a fun orange color to the mix. This dip comes together in minutes — all you need is a food processor or blender — and it's always a huge hit at parties."

    Get the recipe here.

    —Anne Mauney, M.P.H., R.D., founder of Fannetasticfood.com

    4. Marinated Feta Cheese With Lemon and Thyme

    Abby Langer / Via instagram.com

    "I love this because it's super easy and fast to make, but it looks and tastes like it took a lot of skill. It's incredible for a crowd — serve it with crusty bread and olives for a sophisticated appetizer."

    Get the recipe here.

    —Abby Langer, RD, of Abby Langer Nutrition in Toronto

    5. Coffee-Almond Baked Oatmeal (with Perfect Coffee)

    Kath Younger / Via katheats.com

    "When I have a full house for a holiday breakfast, baked oatmeal is my go-to. Not only does it feed a crowd, but it makes the house smell amazing! This version uses coffee for a great morning kick and toasted sliced almonds for a crunchy topping."

    Get the recipe here.

    —Kath Younger, R.D., founder of Kath Eats Real Food

    6. Roma Tomato Bruschetta

    Instagram: @katie.yip / Via instagram.com

    "My go-to holiday potluck dish is a healthy, light, and delicious appetizer loaded with vitamins. [After you combine the ingredients, you] let it sit for about an hour to let the tomatoes soak up the flavor and then serve on crusty bread or crackers."

    Get the recipe here.

    —Katie Yip, New York City-based Pilates teacher

    7. Cajun Cheesy Cauliflower Breadsticks

    Shelly Marie Redmond / Via skinnylouisiana.com

    "Looking for a great vegetable side or a fun snack to eat while watching the football games on Thanksgiving day? These amazing cajun cheesy cauliflower breadsticks are the answer! Combining the yummy comfort of shredded cauliflower, cheese, eggs, and milk, these will be a hit with your audience!"

    Get the recipe here.

    —Shelly Marie Redmond, RD, author of Eat Well and Be Fabulous

    8. Healthy Caramel Apple Crisp

    Instagram: @sproutedroutes / Via instagram.com

    "This caramel apple crisp is one of my favorite holiday party desserts. First of all, almost everyone can eat it — it's gluten-free, vegan, and refined sugar–free. But more importantly, it's a showstopper! The cinnamon-spiced apples and crumbly topping taste like the holidays. Drizzle the super-easy-to-make coconut milk caramel on top to make your friends and family drool."

    Get the full recipe here.

    —Liz Moody, healthy food blogger and founder of Sprouted Routes

    9. Nutty Chocolate-Covered Fruit Kebabs

    Instagram: @foodheavenshow / Via instagram.com

    "So maybe you need more Thanksgiving dessert ideas that aren't pumpkin or sweet potato pie. These nutty chocolate covered fruit kebabs are definitely something to be thankful for. They're also kid-tested and dietitian-approved, so enjoy a skewer (or two) this holiday season."

    Get the recipe here.

    —Wendy Lopez, M.S., R.D., and Jessica Jones, M.S., R.D., of Food Heaven Made Easy

    10. Roasted Parmesan Acorn Squash Wedges

    Wendy Lopez and Jessica Jones / Via foodheavenmadeeasy.com

    "This brilliant roasted parm squash recipe features one of our favorite winter vegetables: the acorn squash. It's packed with vitamins A, B6, and C, and potassium. Dip these wedges in our lighter pesto dipping sauce to take the flavor up a notch."

    Get the recipe here.

    —Wendy Lopez, M.S., R.D., and Jessica Jones, M.S., R.D., of Food Heaven Made Easy

    11. Kale Salad With Asian Pear, Pomegranate, and Dates

    Amelia Winslow / Via Eating Made Easy

    "This hearty, holiday-inspired salad is my go-to dish for potlucks and holiday meals. It’s colorful and festive, yet light, so it helps to balance out the heavy dishes that inevitably occupy most potlucks!"

    Get the recipe here.

    —Amelia Winslow, M.S., M.P.H., nutritionist, and founder of Eating Made Easy

    12. Beet and Black-Eyed-Pea Hummus

    Anjali Prasertong / Via eatyrgreens.com

    "When I'm short on time but want an unusual and impressive appetizer for holiday guests, I break out my food processor and make a batch of hot-pink beet hummus. The beets add sweetness and a creamy texture to the five-ingredient dip, which is packed with fiber, healthy fats, and powerful phytonutrients."

    Get the recipe here.

    —Anjali Prasertong, contributing editor at The Kitchn and graduate student studying to become a registered dietitian

    13. Chickpeas With Roasted Cumin Masala

    Nita Sharda / Via carrotsandcake.ca

    "Typically any time my family is invited to a potluck, guests can count on me to bring along an Indian dish. I won't spend too much time talking about how nutritious this plant-powered dish is (high in fiber, protein, and iron), BUT I will tell you it's incredibly flavorful and perhaps one of the easiest Indian recipes out there. You'll be a roasting-cumin guru in no time."

    Get the recipe here.

    —Nita Sharda, R.D., owner of Carrots and Cake Balanced Nutrition Consulting

    14. Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Raisins, Smashed Almonds, and Curried Fig Vinaigrette

    Abby Langer / Via abbylangernutrition.com

    "This is the Brussels sprouts dish for people who think they hate Brussels sprouts (but really just have never had them cooked quite like this). They're so delicious, easy, and festive; this side dish will wow every guest at your table. Bonus: It's totally vegan, too. (And it's fun to take out your pent-up holiday aggression by smashing the almonds!)"

    Get the recipe here.

    —Abby Langer, R.D., of Abby Langer Nutrition in Toronto

    15. Honey Mustard Lamb Chops

    Courtesy Jeanette Jenkins

    "This simple recipe is a great alternative to chicken or fish! Preheat a broiler to 350 degrees. In a small bowl mix 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons orange juice, 2 tablespoons mince rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard. Brush both sides of each lamb chop with the sauce and then broil until one side is brown (about six or seven minutes). Then turn the chops, brush them with the remaining sauce, and broil until brown. Garnish with mint and serve."

    —Jeanette Jenkins, The Hollywood Trainer

    16. Vegan Sweet Potato Sliders With Cinnamon Cashew Creme

    Instagram: @rachelbeller / Via instagram.com

    "My sweet potato sliders topped with cinnamon cashew creme are vegan,

    gluten-free, and always a hit at parties. These sweet, cozy, bite-sized appetizers are super easy to plate and packed with flavor and nutrients."

    Get the recipe here.

    —Rachel Beller, M.S., R.D.N., founder of Beller Nutritional Institute, and author of Power Souping