Low-Calorie Options to Kickstart the New Year
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! It’s also the most notorious time to pack on a few pounds. With all that ham and all those desserts, it’s never been harder to stick to healthy alternatives—until now. We’ve narrowed down 20 incredible healthy treats that also taste great.
1. Almond Flour Sugar Cookies
Turn sugar cookies on their head this year with a healthy alternative—almond flour! If we’re being honest, almond is pretty much the star of this show in both flour and extract form, but the result is a delicious, heart-smart Christmas treat.
2. Healthy Hot Chocolate
Not everyone can stuff down dessert after a hearty holiday meal, which is reason enough to consider dessert drinks. Ditch the powdered stuff and opt for three simple ingredients: cocoa powder, almond milk, and maple syrup for a sweetener. Of course, you can always add some shaved chocolate on top for an added pinch of sweetness.
3. Sugarplums
You already have sugarplums dancing in your head so why not bring them to life in this healthy Christmas snack? You’ll need several ingredients including walnuts, dates, and cranberries (plus some cinnamon and ground cloves), but you’ll have a yummy treat in just a few minutes.
Lori L. Stalteri from North of Boston, US on Wikimedia
4. Christmas Popcorn
Popcorn recipes open a dozen doors—from gingerbread flavor to melted caramel on top, you can truly make whatever you want. For this recipe, you only need to toss those kernels in honey and cinnamon for a healthier twist. You can also add crushed pretzels for more crunch!
5. Peppermint Truffles
Nothing says Christmas like chocolate and mint, and these peppermint truffles unite the dynamic duo once more. Dark chocolate chips, low-fat cream cheese, and peppermint extract are the main stars of this attraction, leaving you with rich bite-sized treats in just a few minutes.
6. Chocolate-Dipped Tangerines
We all know about chocolate-covered strawberries. We all love chocolate-covered strawberries. But there’s no reason you can’t dip tangerine slices instead. Whether you dip them whole or only coat one side in dark chocolate, this recipe’s a fun twist on the classics.
7. Apple Angel Food Cake
Angel food cake is light enough as it is, but it’s unstoppable with a little applesauce and cinnamon! Add apple pie spice to really up the flavor or opt for sugar-free apple pie filling—both work wonders.
8. Berry Trifle
Berry trifles might seem like a traditional summertime dessert, but they’re actually a year-round delight. Don’t put away that angel food cake mix because you’ll need some for this recipe, along with fresh strawberries, vanilla pudding, and milk (among other things).
9. Meringue Cookies
Looking for a healthy, airy snack with five ingredients? Say hello to meringue cookies, the simple treat made with just egg whites, cream of tartar, vanilla extract, salt, and sugar. They’re only about twenty calories per serving, so you can indulge guilt-free!
10. Peanut Butter Balls
You’ll need peanut butter and unsalted butter for this recipe, a protein-packed dessert drizzled with semisweet chocolate. They’re ready in roughly half an hour too, making them a great option for anyone on the go.
Photo By: Kaboompics.com on Pexels
11. Gingerbread Latte
Don’t worry, we’re not done with the Christmas drinks yet! Gingerbread lattes sound a little calorie-heavy at first, but they’re easily adjusted with almond milk and a pinch of spice. A teaspoon of molasses helps tie everything together without all the fat, so you’re free to enjoy cookies in a glass.
12. Apple Crisp
We’ve all had this one at Christmastime—a rich dessert filled with apples, sugar, and butter. How could we possibly make this healthy? Easy! With a couple of simple swaps, you can make apple crisp with coconut oil, almond flour, and dark brown sugar. The flavor’s still there but the calories are not.
13. Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ah, chocolate chip cookies. Everyone’s favorite staple and one of the most versatile recipes around. Put that to the test this Christmas and whip up a better batch this year. Unsalted butter, oat flour, and dark chocolate chips give this classic a healthy twist.
14. Peppermint Bark
We just can’t stay away from the chocolate-mint combo! Join us in making this easy-peasy dessert, ready with just Greek yogurt, peppermint extract, and vanilla (among other things). Don’t forget to crush candy canes on top for a really festive look.
15. Oatmeal Cookies
Okay, okay, we know oatmeal cookies catch a lot of flack. But they’re one of the best cookies around. Whole wheat flour and applesauce keep things nice and healthy without all that sugar, though you can also add chocolate chips to satisfy sweet tooths.
16. Vegan Macaroons
If you need a simple treat ready in half an hour, vegan macaroons have you covered. You’ll only need a handful of ingredients for these delightful shredded coconut clumps topped with melted chocolate. Best of all? They’re only about 100 calories per serving.
17. Cinnamon Apple Chips
Don’t write off apple and cinnamon as a fall duo—they’re a traditional Christmas pair perfect for healthy holiday recipes. The greatest thing about this recipe is that you only need apples and cinnamon to make it happen!
Leslie Seaton from Seattle, WA, USA on Wikimedia
18. Fruitcake Cookies
Sometimes you just have to convert cake into cookie-form, which is where these bad boys come in. Candied fruit and a pinch of powdered sugar help bring these cookies to life, and we can already tell how much guests will love them.
19. Peppermint Mocha
Our final Christmas drink is all about peppermint, a beloved holiday flavor we can’t get enough of. A splash of skim milk with peppermint extract and maple syrup acts as the base for this one, and it’s only about 60 calories per mug.
20. Brownies
Think of brownies like chocolate chip cookies—a delightful favorite that’s more versatile than it seems. You might consider these dense chocolate squares an unhealthy treat, but a few easy swaps make them better. This season, consider dark chocolate, coconut oil, or almond flour!
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