Savor the Season: Mindful Eating Tips for the Holidays 

The holiday season brings joy, family gatherings, and delicious celebrations. But did you know that Americans gain an average of 1-2 pounds during the holiday season? The good news: you can savor every moment while staying mindful of your wellbeing. The secret? Your freezer and refrigerator are powerful allies in creating nutritious, satisfying holiday experiences without sacrificing flavor or precious time. 

Smart Solutions for Mindful Holiday Eating 

Before Feasting: Check In with Yourself 

Before eating, pause and ask yourself if you’re truly hungry or if you’re eating due to emotions or boredom. This simple check-in can prevent mindless snacking or overindulging. When you do eat, consume food with intention. Take time to enjoy the flavors, textures, and aromas while eating slowly and savoring each bite. You’ll actually feel satisfied with less food.

Pro Tip: Stock your freezer with portion-controlled meals and snacks for those busy days when emotional eating might strike. Try individual frozen entrées or pre-portioned cheese snacks to help maintain mindful portions. 

Balance Your Plate  

Holidays often mean large meals and indulgent dishes. Start by serving yourself smaller portions, remembering you can always go back for more if truly hungry. Balance indulgent foods with low-calorie, nutrient-rich vegetables and fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains to feel more nourished and energized.

Quick Win: Keep frozen vegetables on hand for easy nutrient boosting – they’re flash-frozen at peak freshness and ready when you need them. Try steamed frozen broccoli with a sprinkle of parmesan or roasted frozen Brussels sprouts with butternut squash for a quick, nutritious side. 

Treat Yourself to Treasured Traditions 

Holidays are a time for celebration – enjoy your favorite seasonal dishes and treats! Focus on holiday foods you truly love and only get this time of year. Skip the ones that don’t bring you as much joy. For example, savor your family’s favorite cookie recipe while sipping peppermint tea, or slowly enjoy your most-loved holiday side dish without guilt.

Time-Saving Tip: Use convenient frozen and refrigerated ingredients to recreate favorite holiday dishes with less prep time. Try frozen pie crust for traditional desserts or ready-to-bake rolls for fresh-from-the-oven comfort. 

Sip Smart, Celebrate Better 

Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Thirst can masquerade as hunger, leading to unnecessary eating. Be mindful of alcohol consumption, as it can affect hunger and lower inhibitions, leading to overeating. Plan ahead for parties and drink slowly, alternating alcoholic beverages with water.

Smart Swap: Keep frozen fruit on hand to make festive mocktails or add to water for natural flavor. Try frozen cranberries as ice cubes in holiday drinks! 

Don’t Skip Meals 

Skipping meals before a big holiday feast can backfire, leading to excessive hunger and overeating later. Maintain regular, balanced meals throughout the day to keep hunger cues in check.

Quick Solution: Keep easy breakfast and lunch options in your freezer and refrigerator. Individual yogurt portions, frozen breakfast sandwiches, or prepared protein bowls make it simple to eat regularly despite a busy holiday schedule. 

Savor the Moments That Matter 

Take a moment to appreciate the food around the table, the effort that went into preparing it, and the people you’re sharing it with. This mindfulness can make the holiday season more meaningful and meals more satisfying.

Entertaining Tip: Make gathering around the table more special with easy but elegant appetizers from your freezer and refrigerator. A thoughtfully arranged cheese board with frozen fruit garnishes or hot appetizers like frozen mozzarella sticks can bring people together while you focus on what matters most – the company you’re sharing them with. 

Your Holiday Wellness Checklist 

• Stock freezer with nutrient-rich vegetables and fruits 

• Keep portion-controlled snacks and meals on hand 

• Prepare easy, balanced breakfast options 

• Have healthy appetizers ready for gatherings 

• Create a hydration station with fruit-infused water options 

Festive Finger Foods

These festive appetizer ideas using frozen and refrigerated dairy ingredients are quick, tasty, and perfect for any holiday gathering!

Make a Christmas Tree Cheese Board with a variety of sliced cheeses, fresh fruits, veggies, and whole–grain crackers to create a gorgeous, festive grazing board that’s perfect for your guests to snack on.  

This Buffalo Chicken Dip is a perfect hearty addition to a holiday appetizer party. With nourishing ingredients like lean chicken, cottage cheese, yogurt, and cheddar, this recipe is sure to be a winner! 

Frozen meatballs, refrigerated orange juice, and canned cranberry sauce come together quickly in this delicious Crockpot Meatballs with Cranberry Sauce and Orange recipe. It’s a perfect timesaving appetizer during this busy time of year. 

Make a batch of mini potato skins by baking frozen tater tots and pressing them into mini muffin tins to form “potato skins.” Simply top with low-fat shredded cheese, cooked and chopped frozen veggies, and low-fat sour cream. 

Make mini mac n’ cheese cups by cooking a pan of frozen mac and cheese, then mixing with frozen peas or chopped broccoli. Spoon mixture into mini muffin tins that have been coated with cooking spray, sprinkle with breadcrumbs, and bake until crispy. 

Frozen mozzarella cheese sticks are everyone’s favorite! Simply bake them and serve with marinara sauce for a classic, easy-to-make holiday favorite. 

To make these scrumptious Shrimp Cheese Crisps, fill frozen phyllo cups with refrigerated garlic herb cheese spread, thawed frozen shrimp, and a sprinkle of cheddar. Such a quick, elegant appetizer! 

Side Dishes to Steal the Show

These quick and tasty holiday side dishes benefit from the convenience of nutrient-rich frozen and refrigerated dairy ingredients. Our shortcut recipes will help you prepare flavorful holiday sides with minimal effort!

Crisp Brussels sprouts come together with a pre-seasoned frozen riced vegetable blend and almonds for Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan and Butternut, a flavorful side that’s perfect for the holidays. Butternut squash and Parmesan give this recipe an extra layer of richness.  

To make a lighter, low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes, just steam frozen cauliflower and blend with a bit of butter, low fat sour cream, and grated cheese. Guests will love this easy-to-prepare creamy mashed cauliflower. 

For a super easy and tasty frozen veggie medley with herb butter, toss frozen mixed vegetables (like carrots, peas, and green beans) in a small amount of homemade herb butter (butter, garlic, thyme), then sauté until heated through. 

This beautiful dish of Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Orange Juice and Cranberries makes a stunning recipe for your table, with just a touch of sweetness from refrigerated orange juice. And you can even make it ahead of time!  

Looking for the perfect oven-roasted mixed vegetable recipe for your holiday table, or for a delicious seasonal family dinner side? Try this Maple Glazed Harvest Vegetables recipe. It features colorful veggies in a lightly sweetened glaze made from maple syrup and butter. It’s the perfect balance of savory and sweet, making it a standout holiday side dish.  

If you want a shortcut for preparing a delicious potato side dish, you’ll love this quick scalloped potatoes recipe. Simply spray a baking pan with cooking spray and layer frozen hash browns with a mix of milk, low-fat shredded cheese, and garlic powder. Bake until creamy and golden. 

Save time in the kitchen and while keeping your holiday celebrations deliciously healthful by stocking up on nourishing, versatile frozen and refrigerated dairy products. Find more holiday recipe inspiration with our Easy Home Meals Holiday Collection.