3 Quick & Healthy Recipes For The Holidays

Denise Austin by Denise Austin | December 15, 2017 | Nutrition

During the holidays, do you find yourself making excuses not to eat healthy? Maybe you’ve said one of the following (either out loud or to yourself):

“I don’t have time to cook.”
“I’m just too exhausted.”
“It’s easier to just order in.”

Well, no matter how crazy the holidays get, there’s always time for healthy eating. Especially when you consider that people put on an average of six pounds during the holidays… there’s no better time than to eat healthy, delicious meals so you can enjoy your holiday parties and snacks!

I’ve chosen three of my favorite healthy recipes for you to eat during the holidays that are equal parts quick, healthy, and delicious! They are part of my 10-Week Whole Body Plan – a perfect way to stick with your goals during the holidays – healthy recipes and quick and effective workouts! Start your free trial to check it out today!

Healthy Recipes For During The Holidays:
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Healthy habits should be able to work with your lifestyle. You shouldn’t have to feel burdened by them. Each of these healthy recipes for the holidays takes between 10 and 20 minutes, and can be made with ingredients you probably already have in your home – so you can squeeze in proper nutrition on even the busiest of days. And an added bonus is that they are great for feeding guests as well!

Healthy Breakfast: Spicy Egg Toast

A tasty way to start the day, this recipe offers up protein from the egg and healthy fats from the avocado. Delicious and simple to prepare!

Ingredient List

1 slice whole-grain bread (use gluten-free bread if following a gluten-free diet)

1 whole egg (cage-free)

1 egg white (cage-free)

1/4 ripe avocado, sliced

2 Tbsp. salsa

Prep and Cook

  1. Toast the bread.
  2. Coat a small skillet with oil spray and heat over medium heat.
  3. Whip together the egg and egg white. Add the eggs to the skillet and scramble until the egg is fully cooked.
  4. Layer the cooked eggs onto the toast. Top with the avocado and salsa.

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Lunch: Black Bean Burrito Bowl

The combo of brown rice and black beans is a nutritional winner – and while the Mango Salsa may add on a few extra minutes of prep time, it adds such great flavor, I recommend you try it!

Ingredient List

1 1/2 cups cooked brown rice (or quinoa)

1 cup cooked black beans (if using canned, choose no-salt-added or low-sodium beans and rinse and drain well before use)

1/2 ripe avocado, diced

1/2 cup Mango Salsa (see recipe below) or 1/4 cup low-sodium store bought salsa

Prep and Cook

  1. In each serving bowl, combine 3/4 cup rice and 1/2 cup beans. To warm the ingredients, stir in a splash of water, cover the bowls with damp paper towels, and microwave each serving for approximately 2 minutes.
  2. Top each bowl with half the avocado and 1/4 cup Mango Salsa.

Sub-Recipe: Mango Salsa

1 mango, peeled, pitted, and diced (equivalent to 1 cup)

1/4 cup diced red onion

1/2 small jalapeno pepper, ribs and seeds removed, finely diced

2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro

1 Tbsp. lime juice

1/4 tsp. black pepper

Pinch salt

  1. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients.

Makes 5 servings (serving size = 1/4 cup)

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Dinner: Fish Tacos with Toppers

Tacos are great for guests, as everyone can create their own version. I suggest adding as many veggie toppers as you can, for an extra nutritional boost during the holiday season!

Ingredient List

12 oz. white fish (or any preferred fish, or shrimp, or chicken, or tofu)

1/4 tsp. ground cumin

1/4 tsp. smoked paprika

1/8 tsp. salt

2 tsp. canola or grapeseed oil

4 organic corn tortillas

1/2 cup cooked black beans or fat-free refried beans, warmed (if using canned black beans, choose no-salt-added or low-sodium beans and rinse and drain well before use)

1 ripe avocado, diced

Additional veggie toppers (your choice!): lettuce, shredded cabbage, red onion, corn, salsa, chopped cilantro, scallions, lime wedges

Prep and Cook

  1. Sprinkle the fish evenly with the cumin, paprika, and salt.
  2. In a medium skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the tilapia and cook for 2 minutes per side, or until opaque in the center.
  3. Heat the tortillas. (Heat each tortilla for 20 to 30 seconds per side in a dry skillet over medium heat, or arrange them on a baking sheet and place in a 350 oven for about 5 minutes.)
  4. Place 2 tortillas on each plate. Flake the fish with a fork and divide it evenly between the 4 tortillas.
  5. Top each taco with the beans, avocado, and any other toppings. If you have leftover beans, avocado, and other toppings, pile them on top of lettuce to make a delicious salad!

And if you want more delicious dinner ideas, like Fish Tacos, Fabulous Fajitas, Pork Chops with pesto Spaghetti Squash and so much more, they are all right on my Whole Body Plan!

Make these healthy recipes for the holidays in advance or at the last minute for a healthy, tasty meal. And don’t forget that for more simple, healthy and DELICIOUS recipes, join my 10-Week Plan! It includes a personalized, customizable eating plan – you can choose from two different calorie levels, and then vegetarian, low-sodium, diabetic, gluten-free and more! Start your 7-day free trial today and see how easier (and tasty!) healthy eating during the holidays can be!

Let’s get fitter together – inside and out!

Denise

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