Plant Based holiday party food ideas
Mele Kalikimaka! Is it just me? Or do you love the Hawaiian words for Merry Christmas too! Something about the way it sounds just makes me feel happiness! The magical holiday season is here and it’s time for everything jolly! But, between shopping, wrapping presents, decorating, parties, and traveling, it can be hard to stick to a healthy diet.
This time of year we tend to spend more time with family and friends celebrating, and while that is awesome it can also be a time of overindulgence. Are you worried about your healthy eating habits falling to the side during the holidays? Stay focussed and remember your why! It’s totally cool to enjoy some of your favorite holiday treats, but by being mindful you can enjoy all the festivities and still keep your wellness on track. Simply include plenty of healthy foods too!
In this blog post, I’m going to share a few healthy and fun food dishes you can share at your next holiday party or family gathering. Everyone will enjoy them and you’ll feel great knowing you are sharing healthy food with your family and friends this holiday season!
Vegan Charcuterie Board
This is my all time favorite for so many reasons. First, you can get so creative with the presentation which is half the fun and brings the WOW factor to the table! Second, it is pretty simple to put together. Choose a creative way to display all your healthy eats! Gather your favorite fruits, nut, seeds, olives, plant based cheeses, crackers, plant based meats, hummus, and dips then let the FUN begin. There is literally no right or wrong way to put a board together, so bring on your inner creative side and don’t hesitate to throw in some festive items to decorate it even more for the holiday season.
Energy Bites
Where to even start with this one! The options are unlimited and for the holidays you can really use your imagination and make them look so festive! The combinations are endless, they are quick and easy to make, and it’s just enough sweet to leave you feeling happy! Try this one for your next holiday event.
Chocolate Mint Protein Balls
-1 cup rolled oats
-1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
-1/2 cup sunflower seed butter
-1/2 cup ground flax seeds
-1/2 cup cacao nibs
-1/3 cup coconut nectar
-1 tbsp chia seeds
-1 tsp mint extract
Cauliflower Bites
Even your meat loving friends won’t be able to avoid the temptation to grab these off the holiday table. You can do a lot with cauliflower such as turning them into little “popcorn” bites or “wings.” For the popcorn bites I like to cut up the cauliflower into super small popcorn size bites, toss with olive oil and nutritional yeast and then place in my food dehydrator for half a day! WARNING! You’ll be tempted to start eating them a few hours in when the delicious smell feels the air. This would leave you with no dish for the holiday party so remember these are for sharing! For the cauliflower wings you’ll want to cut into larger sizes and lightly toss with olive oil then place in your air fryer til the reach desired tenderness. The sky is the limit for a side sauce - BBQ, Vegan Ranch, Sesame - or whatever your heart desires!
The holidays are a time to celebrate with family, friends, and co-workers. Just remember it can also be a time when overeating becomes the norm. It’s important to make sure you have plenty of healthy options available at home and to share at all your holiday events this season! With just a few simple changes in your eating habits, you can avoid holiday weight gain and stay on track with your wellness goals! Comment below with your favorite healthy holiday dishes and when holiday temptations strike, moderation is your friend!