The holidays can be a tricky time for anyone with dietary restrictions. And for anyone who is catering for those with dietary restrictions! That’s why we wanted to give you this list of easy, yet scrumptious dishes that meet several common dietary needs:
- Low carbohydrate: Limiting your intake of carbohydrates, especially simple carbohydrates such as sugars and refined grains is a common and effective way to lower your blood glucose and triglyceride numbers, lose weight and reduce inflammation that can be behind a host of different symptoms.
- Low FODMAPs/SIBO friendly: Lots of acronyms here! SIBO, which stands for Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth is an increasingly common condition usually characterized by bloating, gas and abdominal pain, even after eating seemingly health foods. Reflux, constipation or diarrhea may also be present. One of the interventions we use when working with patients with SIBO is a diet that is low in fermentable carbohydrates (so-called FODMAPs). You can find more of our SIBO resources here.
- Elimination Diet: An Elimination Diet is one of the cornerstones of Functional Medicine, helping to uncover hidden food sensitivities that can be driving many different symptoms ranging from sinusitis, to headaches, to joint pain and fatigue. An Elimination Diet is often also an important consideration for anyone with autoimmune issues.
Each of these recipes below meet the requirements of these three diets above. No one should feel like they can’t celebrate the holiday season with food, and we hope you find inspiration and easy resources here that make your food preparation a pleasure, not a pain. And, not least, that keep you on track with your health goals, and don’t leave you feeling guilty for enjoying yourself.
Zucchini is very easy to digest once it’s cooked to soft. We love this recipe for the combination of sesame oil, spices and lemon which really add another dimension. Be sure to choose toasted sesame oil since the flavor profile is completely different to plain sesame oil.
This nutty-fruity stuffing comes together quickly. Everything goes from the food processor into the baking dish, and to the oven without any fuss.
We love simple, healthy dishes, especially when there’s already a mountain to do around the holidays. This is a sure crowd pleaser – the natural sweetness of the carrots, melded with cinnamon, is too hard to resist.
Southwestern Roasted Butternut Squash
Ahhh, squashes – the epitome of fall. Though pumpkin usually dominates fall recipes, it’s not the only sweet-tasting squash that you should be featuring this season.
This version of roasted cabbage definitely has more ‘wow’ factor, since the cabbage is first sliced into large, round disks, before roasting. The result is even more enticing, and nothing like the boiled cabbage you may be fearing from your youth!
Lemon-Coconut Tart with Chestnut and Pecan Crust
Dessert is often one of the hardest items to replace on any kind of healthy diet. Almost every regular option is made with lashings of sugar, dairy, and wheat flour. This Lemon-Coconut Tart recipe, however, is just the job.
This Carrot Cake Pudding has a soft, mousse-like consistency, and bursts with the flavors of fall and the Holidays. Gelatin plus rich coconut milk work their magic again here, to create a luscious treat that can be a simple everyday dessert, or dressed up for the holidays.
And don’t forget the turkey! This Roast Turkey Breast recipe from The Spicy RD uses herbs instead of garlic and onion, to keep things low FODMAPs too.
If your Food Plan allows for gluten-free grains, you might like these tasty dinner rolls from Free Bread Inc – they’ll ship to you frozen, especially for your holiday table.
Many of our readers are well versed in cooking for different dietary requirements. So, if you have a favorite holiday recipe you’d like to share, please do so in the comments below!