Hosting Healthy Holiday Dinners: 11 Expert Tips

The holiday season is a time for gathering, celebrating, and, of course, enjoying delicious food. But with all the rich dishes and indulgent desserts, it’s easy to get caught up in overeating and unhealthy choices. Fortunately, hosting healthy holiday dinners is not only possible but can also be fun and fulfilling for everyone involved. Whether you are hosting in your cozy apartment in Jacksonville, FL, rental home in Atlanta, GA, or family home in Phoenix, AZ, here are our health experts best tips for hosting a healthy and memorable holiday meal.

1. Plan ahead and keep meals simple

One of the best ways to ensure you are hosting healthy holiday dinners is by planning ahead. Create your menu early, make a shopping list, and prep as much as you can in advance. This suggestion comes to us from  Eric Berlin from Chef Egg, who provides great insight on quintessential planning tips below:

■     Make a List and check it twice: “Creating a to-do list of menu items, shopping list, guests, allergies, on-hand service ware, and a timeline of your holiday event is crucial. This will ensure that you stay on track, do not get bogged down by last-minute details and that you have fun during your event.”

■     Test recipes: “Have fun testing new recipes and making tweaks prior to your festivities. While the internet is a fun place to research new recipes, stalwart publications like Cooks Illustrated and Bon Appetite have tried and true recipes for the home cook.”

■     Stay sharp: “Have your knives sharpened professionally prior to the holiday season. Sharp knives make the preparation and serving process more fun and safe for everyone.”

Eric also notes the perks of focusing on a few simple, standout dishes rather than overwhelming yourself with too many complicated recipes, noting that “Preparing simple recipes with welcoming aromatics like hot apple cider with orange rind and cinnamon sticks will make a huge impact as your guests walk through the door. And remember, everything smells better with butter and fresh herbs.” The holidays are a time to enjoy good company and delicious food, and with a little planning, you can create a meal that supports both your health and your guests’ happiness.

2. Eat in season and shop locally

One of the simplest ways to make your holiday meal healthier is by focusing on seasonal ingredients. Eating in season means you’re consuming foods at their peak nutritional value and flavor, and it’s often more affordable. Gianluca from Chef Capaldi shares great insight on the benefits of preparing and enjoying local, seasonal foods when hosting healthy holiday dinners in your home- especially when you add some Italian flair to the mix:

“Our mission is to provide healthful, delicious, wholesome chef-crafted meals to you and your family. Born and raised in Italy where food is much more than a chow down, our chefs will prepare carefully customized meals made with the attention, dedication, and love of a genuine Italian “Nonna”. Our philosophy is to eat in season, buy local ingredients (from local farmers if possible), and be mindful when cooking and eating. We need to eliminate distractions and external entertainment, and allow ourselves time to savor every bite, and be present while we eat. This in itself can become a mindfulness practice.”

3. Plant-based and eco-friendly choices

Incorporating plant-based and eco-friendly dishes not only benefits your health but also has a lower environmental impact and supports local artisans. Hara Mihailidou, founder and CEO of Todelli, shares “Some ideas and tips for staying health-conscious during holiday dinners while supporting sustainable, ethical, and independent British brands:

■     Embrace plant-based and organic choices: Opt for plant-based snacks and spreads, such as the pita chips, black olive paste, all-natural chilli jams or nut butters that are high in fibre, low in sugar, vegetarian, and plant-based, ideal for a balanced holiday appetizer spread.

■     Consider probiotic and gut-friendly bites and non-alc. drinks: Include canapes with kimchi or sauerkraut that have plenty of prebiotics and probiotics and consider replacing your favourite prosecco or wine with non-alc. wines or a ready-made mocktail

■     Add ethical gourmet elements to Your meal: For holiday meals, sauces like Blak Fire, Cornish chillies made in the UK with local ingredients can enhance dishes with a unique flavuor while aligning with sustainable practices. For seasoning, Todelli offers CHIMILOVE’s plant-based chimichurri, which is preservative-free and adds bold flavour without unnecessary additives. These products are a step towards reducing your meal’s environmental impact without sacrificing taste.

■     Choose eco-friendly desserts: End the meal with ethical treats like the TABLE bean-to-bar chocolate or a Mada Mada Pistachio praline. Table’s sustainable chocolate is a mindful choice that offers a sweet finish while supporting independent growers and using sustainable packaging. Mada Mada’s pralines are also made with the purest ingredients with added caramel instead of sugar from a wonderful chef-creator.

■     Support local artisans: Buying from Todelli’s curated selection means supporting small British businesses, which often employ sustainable, low-impact practices. Many Todelli products or boxes are organic, vegan-friendly, and recyclable, contributing to a lower environmental footprint for holiday meals​.

These choices allow you to enjoy a delicious and fulfilling holiday meal while supporting ethical and eco-friendly producers! Enjoy!”

4. Start with proteins and fiber

When hosting healthy holiday dinners, aim to prioritize protein and fiber-rich foods as the foundation of your meal. These nutrients help keep you feeling full longer, curb cravings, and maintain steady energy throughout the day. “Staying health-conscious during holiday dinners doesn’t mean missing out on festive flavors. What I tell most of my clients is that timing is most important. Eat your proteins and fibers first (the vegetables have a lot of fiber) then move on to the richer foods and desserts,” says Henry Baker from Chef Healthy Henry.

Henry also adds that, “As a rule of thumb it’s much better for your digestion and insulin spikes if you always try to include a fiber before or during any kind of sugary dish. With a balanced approach, you can enjoy the holiday feast while staying on track with your health goals! Then after the holidays, definitely contact Chef Healthy Henry for online cooking classes and nutritional guidance.” A good rule of thumb is to fill half of your plate with vegetables, a quarter with protein, and a quarter with whole grains or starchy vegetables to ensure a healthy balance.

Eric Berlin from Chef Egg also advocates for starting your holiday dinner with fiber, emphasizing the benefits of raw vegetables and sharing that you can “Create more options for raw vegetables by including a large crudités platter to your appetizer spread. This will keep you on track with your health goals if you find yourself mindlessly grazing before the meal. Kids will also grab fresh veggies if they are readily available. I also like to add a vibrant and seasonal salad during the meal.”

 

5. Stay active

With all the food and relaxation, it’s easy to skip exercise as “The holidays are a time to embrace connection and the moments we share with friends and family. Rather than focusing on calories or portion control, prioritize self-care and presence. Enjoy the flavors, cherish the company, and incorporate movement — whether through a yoga class or connecting with nature — to keep your energy flowing.

When we choose connection over counting, we nourish ourselves in a way that supports both body and soul,” advises the team at Mika Body Wear. Try encouraging your guests to take a walk after the meal or host a holiday-themed workout like a yoga session or a light group game. A quick stroll or 20-minute exercise session can help with digestion and prevent the sluggishness that often follows a heavy meal.

6. Add to your plate, don’t take away

When people think of hosting healthy holiday dinners, they often focus on restricting foods, however Alexandra Beane, health writer and owner of Well From Within shares a different approach:

“When it comes to staying healthy during the holiday season, I like to focus on what you can add to your plate to make meals more nutritious versus what you should remove. Can you fill at least half your plate with plant foods such as fruits, veggies, whole grains, and legumes? Can you sneak almonds or walnuts into side dishes to ensure you’re getting plenty of fiber and healthy fats? Is there a dish you can make that incorporates at least 10 plant foods?”

Focusing on adding nourishing, colorful, and nutritious options to your plate can be a game changer. These additions not only make your plate more visually appealing but also pack in a variety of nutrients.

7. Accommodate dietary restrictions and food sensitivities

The holiday table is often filled with a variety of guests, and it’s important to be considerate of any dietary restrictions or food sensitivities. In addition to the advice above, Alexandra also recommends “Making modified versions of your favorite dishes so you can stay true to your eating habits during the holidays. For example, if you’re avoiding dairy, make mashed potatoes with unsweetened almond milk and olive oil instead of cow’s milk and butter.

If you’re avoiding gluten, try centering dishes around whole foods like squash, cauliflower, and mushrooms. Whole roasted cauliflower, quinoa stuffed portobello mushrooms, and wild rice-filled acorn squash are some of my holiday favorites!” Common dietary needs include gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, or nut-free, among others. Make sure to label dishes as a helpful way to inform your guests about what’s in each dish and provide a range of options for everyone when hosting healthy holiday dinners.

8. Balance and mindfulness through portion control

Portion control doesn’t mean depriving yourself of the foods you love, but it does help with maintaining balance. One of the best ways to keep portions in check is by practicing mindfulness while eating. Beverley Whyfon from Bev’s Healthy Food has some great hacks to help keep you on track: 

“Navigating holiday dinners can be a challenge, but with some mindful strategies, you can enjoy the festivities while prioritizing your health. One effective tip is to control portion sizes; consider using smaller plates to help manage your servings and avoid the temptation to overfill your plate. Additionally, incorporating healthier alternatives to traditional dishes can make a big difference — try my spinach & feta frittata or roasted brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes for delicious options that are packed with nutrients without sacrificing flavor, featured in my Christmas Menu Book.”

The team at Beacon Hill is also a proponent of using small plates to encourage portion control, as it helps “Keep you from overindulging while still allowing you to enjoy all your holiday favorites.” They also explain the benefits of staying hydrated during your meal advising to “Take your time savoring each bite, and drink a glass of water before and during your meal. This can help you feel full sooner and prevent the urge to overeat.” If you enjoy festive drinks, try offering lighter options like sparkling water with a splash of cranberry juice or a homemade iced herbal tea. These beverages are hydrating and can curb any cravings for sugary sodas or alcohol when focused on hosting healthy holiday dinners.

9. Focus on healthy alternatives to traditional ingredients

While there are many ways to prioritize hosting healthy holiday dinners, one of the top tips recommended by our experts was finding healthy alternatives to traditional dishes and ingredients. For example, the team at Beacon Hill shares that you can “use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream in dips or mashed cauliflower in place of potatoes to cut down on calories without sacrificing flavor.” If hosts educate themselves on alternatives like the above, many holiday meals that are traditionally packed with butter, sugar, and other rich ingredients can still be enjoyed while maintaining a focus on health.

For more amazingly healthy ingredient swaps, take a look at the below suggestions from Danielle Monds, CEO and owner of Simply Homemade Catering:

■     “Chicken broth isn’t always the best option, and it’s off-limits if you are vegan. Vegetable broth is a healthy alternative when adding broth to dishes. Vegetable broth is packed with a bunch of flavors and carries a lot of salt, which is helpful because if the broth is salty there is no need to add additional salt at the dinner table.

■     Candied yams or candied sweet potatoes are delicious but contain a lot of butter and sugar. A healthy alternative would be mashed sweet potatoes with honey, this is also a quicker dinner option.

■     If you choose to make candied sweet potatoes, make them the day before, this allows all the flavors to sit in the potato. When you make them the same day you are serving them, you may add more sugar because the sweet potato did not get the opportunity to allow the flavors to marinate.

■     Use honey as a sweetener instead of sugar. I believe it is a great alternative to sugar without that weird taste that sugar substitutes tend to have.

■     Getting fresh garlic instead of minced garlic in a jar will always be healthier and taste better. If you don’t like peeling and chopping garlic there are many tools you can utilize to ease the burden, such as a garlic press.”

For desserts, we recommend using a natural sweetener like maple syrup and offer fruit-based options like baked apples or poached pears. Using whole grains and nuts in stuffing or desserts can also add healthy fats and fiber while maintaining the festive flavors.

10. Avoid processed foods

While it might be tempting to rely on store-bought sides or pre-packaged foods, these options often contain high amounts of sodium, added sugars, and unhealthy fats. When hosting healthy holiday dinners, Chef Laura Scheck from Teaching Table notes that “One key strategy is to avoid processed foods! There are so many delicious options available during the holidays that it’s easy to skip over the processed, store-bought items that aren’t worthy of our appetites. This simple rule helps me focus on scratch-made and home-cooked dishes, like those I teach in my Thanksgiving DIY cooking class. The homemade version almost always contains higher-quality ingredients, more fiber, lower sodium, and less sugar!

I also prioritize fresh whole foods to snack on at cocktail parties, such as nuts and crudités. When hosting, I always prepare a spread that includes homemade pickles, hand-rolled sourdough crackers, stuffed mushrooms, and an herb-filled dip served with crudités to balance the cheeses and charcuterie. I teach these recipes and more in my Charcuterie, Canapés, and Cocktails class.” Stick to whole, fresh ingredients as much as possible. You don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen — there are plenty of simple and quick recipes that focus on natural ingredients without sacrificing flavor.

11. Engage children in different holiday cultures

When hosting healthy holiday dinners, remember that health is made up of not only what you put into your body, but how you cultivate your mind. The holiday season is rich with traditions, and one mindful way to bring a healthy spirit to the holiday season is to “Invite kids to discover holiday food traditions from around the world. Trying festive foods from other cultures that feel similar to familiar favorites can make the season even more joyful as they experience shared traditions across the globe.” Shares Michelle Moses, owner of Kiddos School Lunches. “For example, in Germany, lebkuchen — a soft, spiced gingerbread made with honey, nuts, and warm spices — offers familiar flavors with a unique twist.

Filipino bibingka is like a fluffy pancake, made with rice flour and coconut milk, perfect for a holiday treat. And in Britain, Yorkshire puddings — simple to make and similar to popovers — are light, fluffy breads perfect for soaking up gravy or filling with holiday flavors. Helping kids explore new flavors and connect to different cultures shows them that “different” is also delicious!” says Michelle. Whether it’s through reading books, cooking together, or sharing meals inspired by various cultures, introducing kids to diverse holiday traditions can make the meal more inclusive and fun, and it’s a perfect time to teach children mindfulness about different cultures and their festive foods.

Hosting healthy holiday dinners: in a nutshell

In conclusion, hosting healthy holiday dinners is all about balance — balancing nutrition with tradition, indulgence with mindfulness, and inclusivity with creativity. By focusing on seasonal, local ingredients, incorporating more plant-based dishes, and accommodating dietary restrictions, you can create a meal that nourishes both body and soul. Most importantly, a healthy holiday dinner fosters connection, joy, and shared experiences, making the celebration not only memorable but also truly fulfilling for everyone around the table.