The holidays can be quite a burden when it comes to food, with so many big meals in a short period of time.
Even if you want to eat healthier, sometimes it can be challenging to find healthy meals that appeal to everyone at your table. It can also be difficult to figure out what kinds of healthy meals to make, how much prep work is needed, how many fresh ingredients you need, etc.
But what if you could add just one ingredient to your favorite dish to make it healthier? Now you can! Read on to find out how.
Check out these six quick additions to help make your favorite meals healthier.
1Add cauliflower to macaroni and cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a comfort food staple, and for good reason. Carbs and cheese? Yes please! But if you’re looking to make the dish a little healthier, toss in some cauliflower. It adds a different texture to the meal, as well as vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. One cup of chopped raw cauliflower delivers 320 mg of potassium, 52 mg of vitamin C and only 27 calories. It makes a great addition to pastas, or you can use it in the place of the noodles altogether.
Salads can be pretty healthy on their own, depending on what you add. If you want to add a crunchy and healthy kick to any salad, throw some walnuts on top! Walnuts deliver omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, several B vitamins and more to support overall health and wellness. Walnuts are a delicious snack by themselves, but they can also be baked or cooked in a variety of ways and added to different recipes.
3Add vegetables to baked goods
‘Tis the season for making (and eating) lots of baked goods, right? One way to make baked goods a little healthier is to add vegetables like beets, spinach, etc. It may sound strange, but the results are delicious. Most of the time, you might not even be able to taste the vegetables while reaping all the nutritional benefits they offer. Beets are loaded with fiber, manganese, folate and vitamins A, B and C. Spinach is a good source of vitamins A, B-2, B-6, E and K, as well as magnesium, iron, copper and more. Satisfy that sweet tooth craving while getting nutrients, vitamins and minerals at the same time.
Chia seeds have quickly become a popular nutritional ingredient, and it’s easy to see why. Often called a super food, chia seeds are full of omega-3s, calcium, potassium, magnesium, fiber and more. They support digestive system health and healthy energy levels. If you’re looking for a nutritional energy boost, add chia seeds to a variety of recipes, including oatmeal.
5Add apples to ham and cheese sandwiches
The skins and peels from fruits are often thrown away, but they can add a nutritional boost to a variety of meals. They’re often packed with fiber, antioxidants and more. With almost no fat, sodium or cholesterol and lots of vitamins B and C, dietary fiber and more, apples are known as one of the healthier fruits. The peels are no exception! One popular way to include them in your diet is to add unpeeled apples to ham and cheese sandwiches. No matter what kind of apples you decide to use, they’ll all add a crunchy texture as well as nutritional benefits.
6Add carrots to meatloaf and burgers
Carrots have long been known for supporting vision health, digestive system health, overall wellness and more. While they’re delicious as a snack on their own, they’re also a great and healthy addition to a variety of dishes and recipes. Carrots are a good source of beta-carotene and fiber, as well as a variety of antioxidants and vitamins. They add great flavor and texture especially to meat dishes like burgers and meatloaf.
Eating healthier can happen one ingredient at a time. What are your favorite healthy recipe additions?
