Athlete nutrition: Favorite recipes for healthy holiday eating

When it comes to maintaining a healthy diet, November and December are two of the hardest months of the year. 

The good news is that there are some excellent holiday recipes that allow you to indulge in the season without packing on 15 pounds and watching your hard-earned muscle transform into fat. Here are a few of our favorite holiday recipes here at Wodify:

1.Roasted turkey breast

When Thanksgiving rolls around, the smell of smoked turkey makes it impossible to avoid the temptation of indulging in arguably the year’s most delicious meat. 

While there are a number of ways to enjoy turkey this fall, nutrition experts typically agree that an un-brined, roasted turkey is the healthiest way to cook a bird. Removing the skin makes it even healthier. 

Also, generally speaking, white meat is a little better both in terms of calories and fat, so a bit of roasted breast meat on Thanksgiving shouldn’t be a big problem in terms of athlete nutrition.

2. Festive fruit salad

You are going to be invited to a potluck or two over the course of the next couple of months, which means you have at least some control over what’s available to eat at the party. While many people bring chips and dips and desserts, you could pick and choose some nice healthy fruits to create a festive fruit salad that both fits in with the meal and doesn’t cause you eater’s guilt after filling your plate.

3. Lowfat eggnog

There will be opportunities to indulge in some sweet holiday treats, but there are healthier options for many of them. Eggnog, for example, is some people’s favorite holiday beverage, but the typical version uses whole milk and a dozen eggs. Making your low-fat version with skim or one percent milk and significantly fewer eggs lowers both the calories and the fat content.

4. Fruit-infused sparkling water

The average person drinks almost 100 calories a day in alcohol, but the holiday season can inspire extra indulgence with alcohol thanks to the festive nature of family gatherings. To skip all those empty calories, consider making a fruit-infused sparkling water non-alcoholic cocktail instead. 

Avoid the temptation to add a shot of vodka or rum, as those tiny 1.5-ounce shots still carry about 100 calories apiece, compared to an average of 150 calories for a beer or 125 calories for a glass of wine.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy the holiday season without having to give up delicious foods completely. Follow these tips during the festive months so you can start 2018 off right!