How To Enjoy a 'Feel Good' Holiday Easter Dinner
Mar 28, 2021
Updated: April 2022 to include some new recipes
In my house, I am responsible for cooking all of our holiday meals and I truly enjoy every minute of it. It gives me an opportunity to do something for my family (immediate and extended) and I also get to experiment with new recipes and ingredients.
I have been living the low-carb lifestyle for over five years now and have also been cooking holiday dinners for even longer. I mention this as a reminder to you that you need to approach this holiday meal with the same mindset as I encourage you to start everything else….from where you are. Choosing low-carb options around holidays can be easy and we don’t need to feel like we are “restricting” ourselves. Food is meant to be enjoyed, but for our family, we always aim to choose the healthiest options possible.
If you are not someone who likes to cook or if you are not hosting the dinner but are contributing to it, I suggest you start out by trying one or two new side dishes. Remember, it doesn’t have to be a huge change to make a difference.
Below I provide some recipe links that I think will complement your traditional family dinner this year. You can also refer to my Christmas Meal blog where I provide cooking instructions and recipes from our Holiday Turkey Dinner.
HAM GLAZE
Although our family enjoys turkey at Easter, it is very common for the ham to take center stage. There are ways to “swap out” the ingredients to ensure you don’t have to remove the glaze entirely from your recipe - because let’s be honest - who doesn’t love the glaze? (When it comes to animal products, we choose free-range poultry and pastured or grass-fed sources whenever possible).
For the glaze, one of the easiest swap-outs is using a sugar substitute. In this recipe from This Mom’s Menu, they use Lakanto Brown Sugar which I purchase locally (along with the white “sugar” option) at Parks Health Shop. Lakanto is a combination of erythritol and monk fruit and can be swapped out 1:1 for cooking and baking (and provides a similar flavour).
SIDES
SIDE DISHES are an important part of any meal as they can provide variety in flavours for discerning palates, boost the overall nutritional value of a menu, and give you an opportunity to experiment and get creative. The number of options and recipes available for side dishes are truly endless, so these recipes are just some of my suggestions on where you may find your new family favourite.
Potatoes vs Low-Carb Substitutes
Most people would consider potatoes the main side dish to any traditional meal, so it is important to find a suitable substitute when trying to reduce the carbohydrate content. Some common “swap out” vegetables for mashed potatoes are: mashed turnip, celeriac puree or mashed cauliflower, but if you are looking for something a little more decadent, try this Turnip Gratin recipe, from Diet Doctor.
Vegetable Sides
Asparagus is a very popular springtime vegetable and is an easy side dish to prepare. Basic Method: wash, trim the ends, toss with olive oil, place on baking sheet, season with salt & pepper, place in a preheated 425 degree oven for approximately 10 minutes. Before serving, sprinkle with fresh lemon zest (optional).
Brussels sprouts and green beans are also great low-carb vegetable options. Why not try out this Garlic and Bacon Brusselsprouts recipe from Ruled.me or these Green Beans and Asparagus with Lemon and Pecans from ketocookingwins.com
THE SWEETER SIDE
It’s Easter, which means in some households there will be a lot of chocolate and candy around to tempt you. This is why it is important to be prepared with an option that will better support you on your health journey. Dark chocolate that contains at least 70% cocoa is a much better option than traditional milk chocolate and has a lot less added sugar. And if you are looking for a sweet ending to your holiday meal, why not try this Low Carb Easter Eggs or this No-Bake Keto Cheesecake.
I hope that the above information will help you feel more confident heading into Easter this week knowing that there are menu options available to help keep you on track. The important thing to remember, especially on holidays, is that the changes you are making are not meant to create stress or overwhelm you. They are meant to be small, manageable changes that are easily executed on a consistent basis as this is what will ensure you achieve your health goals.
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