Celebrating the holiday season often involves big meals full of food that can be tough on blood sugars and waistlines. So we went in search of some dishes that are easier on glucose management without sacrificing taste. We turned to some of our favorite food and nutrition bloggers and asked them to share recipes for lower-carb holiday dishes that are on their tables this season. Check out their picks for appetizers, side dishes, and desserts that are big on taste while packing fewer carbohydrates.
Appetizers
Shelby Kinnaird, of Diabetic Foodie, has lined up some great appetizers to get your celebration started. Her Pesto Holiday Crackers are cute, quick and easy to make!
Looking for something to spread on those Holiday Crackers? Whip up Shelby's yummy Holiday Cheese Ball Wreath for a perfect appetizer pairing!
Side Dishes
Jill Weisenberger, MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND, Author/Consultant/Speaker/Spokesperson typically makes her Sweet Potato Walnut Balls for the holidays. It’s the grown-up and more sophisticated edition of sweet potato casserole. They’re only about 12 g carbohydrate per serving, or you can swap the sweeteners out for a honey/stevia mix to further reduce the carbs. Another favorite for this time of year is her Orange-Scented Roasted Carrots and Parsnips. It’s simple, yet fancy, delicious with a hint of sweet. Way better than steamed carrots with honey or maple syrup.
Mila, of Hangry Woman, loves being able to have bread with dinner, without a huge impact on her blood sugar. Her Keto Garlic and Onion Dinner Rolls help her minimize carbs at the dinner table and enjoy a little bit of everything. She also shares her recipe for Brussels Sprouts, Butternut Squash and Bacon Salad. This side dish has lots of color and flavor. It always stands out on the table, and includes some in-season veggies!
Christel, from Diabetes Strong, will be enjoying Braised Red Cabbage, a traditional Danish Christmas food! Another great vegetable side dish is her Keto Green Bean Casserole. Other favorites to round out the meal are Easy Low Carb Stuffing and Low Carb Cornbread.
Dessert
Robert Lewis, of The Happy Diabetic and The Happy Diabetic Kitchen Podcast, shares his recipe for Pumpkin Crumble Cheesecake. Robert tells us, "If you can't decide between pumpkin pie and cheesecake for dessert, this recipe delivers the best of both worlds. This is an amazing gluten-free recipe full of flavor with no added sugar. It has a delicate, rich, and creamy texture and is easy to prepare. Get you PUMPKIN on!
If cookies are more your thing, Shelby's Key Lime Date Balls with Pistachios are the perfect dessert to reach for!