This Holiday Season, Think Red

The holiday season is notorious for overeating and indulging in foods and treats that are high in sugar and fats. It doesn’t have to be that way, if we pick some healthy foods which can also be fixed in festive dishes.


Take Nuts for example. Though they have fat, some of the nut fats are actually healthy. Almonds, walnuts and Brazil nuts are three heart-healthy nuts that are delicious. Mix them with dark bittersweet chocolate (not milk chocolate) and with cookies, salads, breads and even poultry to add crunch and good taste.


Both cranberries and pomegranates are not only Christmasy red, but their wealth of antioxidants makes them one of the healthiest holiday treats. Cranberries can be added to many dishes and used in muffins and pancakes. Turkey with cranberry-mustard sauce and rice, all baked together in a roaster, is my favorite turkey meal. Many stores sell prepared cranberry-mustard, but it not, they can be mashed and combined with your favorite gourmet mustard and used to baste the turkey. Pomegranate seeds can be used in stuffing, rice and many dishes. They can easily be juiced with a citrus juicer for delicious juice that can be mixed into smoothies or punch.


Cinnamon has a long list of health benefits and has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels and bad cholesterol. It can be added to hot drinks from coffee to cider, and is a delicious addition to  cookies, coffee cakes and pastries.


And no Christmas event would be complete without the red wine. The red color again brings us antioxidants which are so healthy, and its resveratrol also helps prevent blood clots. Just remember that, when it comes to wine, too much of a good thing can be too much of a good thing.