by Rower Girl

Created on: May 01, 2009   Last Updated: May 11, 2009

The holiday season is fast approaching and many people are already being tempted by the foods served at holiday meals. Along with the great company of friends and family, diners are finding themselves surrounded by temptation in the form of mashed potatoes swimming in butter; cranberry sauce full of refined sugar; and more often than not pounds of fatty meats and mountains of baked goods clogged with saturated fat. To reduce your chances of a heart attack or any other health problems by food this holiday season, to the right is a list of some healthier substitutions for some of your favorite holiday comfort foods.

Traditional Food Alternative
Mashed potatoes with butterand milk: Mashed potatoes with olive oil olive oil has heart-healthy unsaturated fats that are also good for glossy hair and glowing skin
Any fatty meat (goose, steak, pheasant): Lean, skinless boneless chicken or turkey or even tofu your arteries will thank you!
Sugar- loaded cranberry sauce: Low-sugar cranberry sauce or apple sauce- *remember read labels: if sugar is one of the first four items listed as an ingredient, don't buy it!
Cookies, pies (pumpkin, pecan e.g.), cakes: Fresh Fruitthe perfect sweet ending to a meal; try cutting a variety of fruits up such as pineapple, strawberries, bananas, cantaloupe, grapes, kiwi, whatever! This dessert takes all the extra calories and fat out of the equation. If you are really into it, try serving with all-natural fruit sorbet, a scoop of frozen yogurt, ice cream, or a dollop of whipped cream.
Stuffing: TabouliMost stuffingis not that bad, but to mixit up try this Greek grain and bean salad made with bulgur wheat (a rich sourceof protein), lemon juice,and fresh herbs!
Recipes for all the alternatives suggested can be found at www.allrecipes.com or for vegetarian recipes go to www.vegweb.com .
Eating healthier does not mean giving up every "comfort food" you love. Just remember to start out slow and even if you only replace one bad ingredient with a healthier one, it makes a difference. Each time, it gets a little easier and eventually eating and cooking healthier become creatures of habit.
Your body and mind will feel healthier, and you will still be happy because you will not be depriving yourself of cravings. Health food CAN be your comfort food and perhaps your friends and family will follow your lead. Know as well that everything is fine in moderation so even if you feel that you still crave the high-fat, high-calorie comfort food, go ahead and have a bite or two,but keep trying new alternatives anyway.
Eating healthy does not and should not have to be a chore. You never know... your favorite comfort food may finally be goof for you!

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