7 Healthier Holiday Food Swaps (Win!)

Rich food and drink and the holiday season go hand-in-hand. But with festivities continuing for days and sometimes weeks, it’s easy to go overboard on the good (but not-so-good-for-you) stuff. Without sacrificing all of our favourite festive treats, here are three healthy swaps to help make the holidays a little, well, lighter! —Vita Daily

turkey. Low in fat and high in protein, turkey is a healthy part of a holiday meal—provided you keep it clean. Cut the fat content by serving your bird skin off, and choosing breast instead of leg (dark turkey meat has about two times the fat of white).

stuffing. Stuffing made from sausage meat or a premade mix may be high in salt. The good news: a vegetarian version using chestnuts, onion, herbs and rice can help reduce sodium levels in your stuffing.

cranberry sauce. Did you know: most canned cranberry sauce contains added sugar. The easiest way to minimize the sweet in your sauce? Make it yourself.

candied yams. A traditional take on this holiday meal staple includes sweet potato, butter, marshmallows and brown sugar, making it high in both sugar and fat. A healthier way to enjoy sweet potatoes this festive season? Roast them! Simply brush with a little olive oil and bake.

mashed potatoes. Tempted to make your mashed potatoes creamier by adding butter, cheese and cream? Doing so will only up the fat content. Keep your mash as healthy as possible by making with a dash of low-fat milk and butter.

festive ale. No need to blow your Christmas calories on beer. This holiday season, sip on Stanley Park Brewing’s Electro Lager—a clean-tasting, flavourful light lager, late-hopped to add notes of citrus. Brewed with barley, oats, and sea-salt to produce a light-to-medium-bodied beer, it “weighs” in at just 90 calories and 3 grams of carbs per 355ml can.

eggnog. A combo of alcohol, eggs, sugar and milk may make nog tasty, but it also makes it high in fat, sugar and booze. DIY a low-sugar and low-fat version by subbing in a natural sweetener, like stevia, and full-fat milk for a lower-fat milk or milk alternative.

Win! A $65 Cozy Beer Set From Stanley Park Brewing!

We have a winner! Congratulations Jesse M. of Burnaby, B.C., who will receive a $65 Cozy Beer Set from Stanley Park Brewing, including:

• Stanley Park Brewing Thick Cotton Canvas Boat Tote with Front Pocket
• Grey Stanley Park Brewing Toque
• 6 Pack of Layer Up Winter Wheat Ale
• Stanley Park Brewing Stainless Steel Cup
• Salted Caramel Chocolates from local Vancouver chocolatier Beta 5