Holiday Meal Prep for the Health-Conscious

Keep your health goals a priority ALL year long.

Whip Up This Scrumptious Baked Oatmeal with Ingredients You Probably Already have On-Hand!

The holidays are a time for family, friends, and of course FOOD. It can be hard to stay on track during the festive season, but with a little bit of planning you can meal prep your way through the holidays and keep up with your nutrition!

Holiday Meal Prep for the Health-conscious is a great way to enjoy the holiday season while staying on track with your health and nutrition goals. With a few simple recipes, you can create delicious, nutritious meals that will keep you feeling full and satisfied. From lightened-up traditional dishes to healthy alternatives, you can enjoy the holidays without compromising your health.

Below, we will give you some recipes to have on hand and tips on how to make meal prepping easier during the holiday season. So whether you are attending holiday parties or want some easy and healthy snacks and meals on hand, we’ve got you covered!

Meal Prepping Through the Holidays

One of the best ways to stay on track during the festive season is to do holiday meal prep! Before the holiday madness begins, you can set yourself up for success by taking some time to get organized and prepare your food ahead of time. But that may seem far out of reach when you’ve got a ton of holiday shopping and parties to attend. Never fear! We’ve got some tips to help you make time to meal prep during the holidays.

Prep Before the Festivities Begin

Italian Sausage Kale Soup Dinner Recipe

You can start meal prepping long before your family arrives! Freeze things like smoothie mixes, soups, and casseroles ahead of time. This way, all you have to do is heat them up when you’re ready to eat. Here are our favorite make-ahead recipes:

  1. Meal-Prep Friendly Vegan Breakfast Burritos
  2. Low-Carb Cheesy Meatball Casserole
  3. Blueberry Banana Smoothie
  4. Buffalo Chicken Pasta Casserole
  5. Italian Sausage Kale Soup

Use Super Quick Ingredients

These paleo-friendly meaty veggie roll-ups are great for the paleo, low-carb, and even keto diet!

Take shortcuts where you need them. Things like microwavable rice packets, pre-cooked meats, canned beans, and pre-cut produce can quicken the process and make meal prepping more feasible. Here are some quick, 5-minute recipes that can be quickly put together with pre-made, already-prepped ingredients:

  1. Paleo-Friendly Meaty Veggie Roll-Ups
  2. Chickpea Mediterranean Rice Recipe
  3. Italian Tuna Wraps
  4. Plant-Based Burrito Bowl Recipe
  5. Flavorful Vegetable Teriyaki Stir-Fry

Pick Easy to Cook, Bulk Meals

One of the best things about meal prepping is that it doesn’t have to be complicated! When you are making meals for the week, choose recipes that can easily be doubled or tripled. That way you can cook once and eat all week long. Here are some of our top choices:

  1. One Pan Broccoli, Sweet Potato, and Chicken Dinner
  2. Easy and Nutritious Grain Bowls
  3. 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken Chili Verde
  4. Whip Up This Scrumptious Baked Oatmeal for Breakfast!
  5. 5-Ingredient Vegan “Chicken” Salad Recipe

Be Prepared with Snacks

The biggest culprit for overeating at holiday parties is actually hunger. Make sure you’re well-fueled throughout the day with high protein, high fiber snacks to keep you satiated. Try some of our favorites below:

  1. Cranberry Crumble Bites
  2. Kid-Friendly Apple Sandwiches
  3. Easiest Ever Oatmeal Cookie Recipe
  4. Roasted Beet and Hazelnut Vegetable Dip
  5. Quinoa Protein Bars

Eat Before You Head Out 

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If you’re going to a holiday party, eat something nutritious at home first. Once there, you’ll be less prone to overindulging. With a little forethought, thanks to holiday meal prep, the season of giving may be less stressful and healthier, allowing you to appreciate those precious times with family and friends even more.

Incorporate Some Holiday Favorites

This slow cooker pumpkin spice latte cake is a sweet way to end you cool, Fall day!

Instead of avoiding your favorite holiday treats all season long, allow yourself to enjoy them in a more nutritious way. For example, our favorite Superfood Chocolate Bark pairs delicious dark chocolate with fruit and nuts. We’ve got tons of other great dishes that are both festive and nutrient-dense that you can enjoy this season:

  1. Pumpkin Spice Tarts
  2. Fudgy Chocolate Zucchini Cookies
  3. White Chocolate Pomegranate Bark
  4. Baked Apple Pecan Crisp
  5. Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Latte Cake

Planning Your Holiday Dinner

This Healthy Cast-Iron Stuffing Recipe is made with fresh and delicious ingredients!

The same can be done with dinner itself! Preparing healthier versions of your favorite dishes is a great way to stay on track to your health goals. Check out these yummy sides to pair with your turkey or holiday ham:

  1. Cast-Iron Stuffing Recipe with Ezekiel Bread
  2. Surprisingly Healthy Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
  3. Cauliflower Holiday Stuffing
  4. Amazing Orange-Rosemary Maple Sweet Potatoes
  5. Classic Green Bean Casserole

We hope these tips on how to meal prep for the holiday season help you stay healthy all season long! What are your favorite tips for staying on track? Let us know in the comments below. And be sure to check out our holiday recipes for more festive meal ideas.

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Kelsey Butler, MS, RDN

Kelsey Butler is a Registered Dietitian and recipe developer. From a young age, Kelsey found a love for creating delicious recipes. Now, with a Master's in Nutritional Sciences, Kelsey uses her culinary skills to create healthy and unique recipes for many different diets. She is passionate about creating a healthy relationship with all foods and recipes that everyone can enjoy. Kelsey has a passion for cooking, but she also enjoys the outdoors, staying active, and traveling. She is currently living with her partner in New Zealand.

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