The holiday season is filled with festive fun, cozy comforts, and, of course, delicious treats. But it doesn’t have to be all sugar-filled snacks—there are plenty of healthier options that still bring the cheer without the sugar rush. If you’re looking to serve up something festive for your family this season, check out these simple and nutritious holiday treats!
Strawberry Banana Candy Canes
For a fun, fruity take on a classic holiday shape, make strawberry banana candy canes! Simply slice up bananas and strawberries and alternate them in the shape of a candy cane on a plate. It’s a sweet snack without any added sugar.
Fruit Snowmen
Turn fruit into holiday snowmen, and let your kids get creative with it! You’ll want to use banana slices for the base of your snowmen. Then, you can have other fruits out (and maybe a few chocolate chips for sweetness and eyes) that let your kids get creative with what becomes their hats (strawberries topped with a grape or a blueberry, perhaps?) and buttons (will they choose more chocolate chips or blueberries) and maybe even shredded carrot for its nose.
Cookie Cutter Apple Slices
Cookie cutters aren’t just for cookies! Use them on apple slices to create festive shapes like stars, trees, stockings, and more. It’s a great way to make fruit more exciting for kids, especially when paired with a Greek yogurt or peanut butter dip.
Fruit and Veggie Christmas Trees or Wreaths
Get creative by arranging veggies like broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers in the shape of a Christmas tree or a wreath. Add a little yogurt or hummus for dipping, and you’ve got a festive way to entice your kids to have a healthy snack.
Additional Tips for Healthier Holiday Baking
You’re not going to want to change the recipes to all of your holiday favorites, but if you’re making multiple cookie recipes or other baked goods this holiday season, maybe a few of them get some healthier twists, such as:
- Adding oatmeal and/or peanut butter to the recipe for a heartier, more nutritious treat.
- Substituting regular flour with whole wheat flour.
- Swapping butter for a healthier alternative like Greek yogurt or applesauce.
Enjoy the Season
As a Food Services team, nutrition is key for us, so we’re always looking for ways to pack in more nutrients. That said, we’re looking forward to our favorite treats, too! It’s always about balance, and while we’ll be taking some of this advice home to our own families, we’ll also be delighting in the season’s richness and sweets. Happy holidays!