Despite the fact that the majority of holiday recipes are laden with butter and sugar, these two components are not necessary for a delicious dish. Here are ten nutritious side dishes that not only have your nutritionist's seal of approval but will also be the star of any dinner party.
Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes
This side dish is about as healthy as it gets if you want mashed potatoes but are looking for a substitute. Vegans can eat this dish because of the olive oil. Additionally, olive oil might aid in illness prevention. According to research published this year, polyphenols, which are organic molecules contained in olive oil, can prevent chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease as well as slow down the aging process.
Carrots with Tahini Dressing
Cooked carrots are a supper classic, but in this recipe, seasoned tahini is used in place of butter. Sesame seeds, the main component of tahini, are rich in minerals including manganese and magnesium, both of which are crucial for strong bones.
Citrus Salad with Spiced Honey
It's not necessary to limit side dishes to only vegetables and grains. This stunning tray of immune-boosting citrus fruits, including oranges, mandarins, grapefruit, limes, and kumquats, is seasoned with a festive concoction that includes cinnamon, which has been shown to help control blood sugar levels.
Glazed Onion Foil Packs
This side can be eaten alone or used to dress up other dishes like salads or roasted carrots. It is made by simply grilling sweet onions in foil until they are soft then seasoning them with salt, black pepper, and balsamic vinegar. Spritz some fresh thyme on top.
Apple Spice Hummus
In this dish, chickpeas are blended with unusual—yet festive—ingredients including sliced apple, peanut butter, and apple pie spice. With carrots or whole grain crackers, serve it as a side dish.
Broccoli Rabe with Orange and Sesame
This keto-friendly side dish contains only 2.4 grams of net carbs and 4 grams of fat per half-cup serving. Brussels sprouts, broccoli rabe's cruciferous cousin, are bursting with antioxidants. Along with fiber, vitamins A, C, and K, and a variety of minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and manganese, it is also a good source of fiber.
Fig and Walnut Wild Rice
In this rich, gluten-free recipe, wild rice, a whole grain alternative to classic refined white bread stuffing, is combined with two joyous holiday ingredients: figs and walnuts.
What side dishes would you like to try? Share it with us, we would love to learn and feature you! Tag us @purelydrinks on IG!