Holiday & Seasonal Recipes: The Healthy Way :

Whatever the season, you can lighten your favorite foods.

By Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD
WebMD Weight Loss Clinic - Feature

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Tradition demands that we honor our family, culture, heritage, and country with celebrations throughout the year. Each season and holiday has its traditional favorite foods -- and they're usually high in calories and fat. After all, what would the Fourth of July be without a backyard barbeque? And Thanksgiving just wouldn't be same without turkey, dressing, and sweet potatoes.

The key to enjoying these foods while eating healthfully is to give a new twist to your old favorites. Our experts share lighter versions of their favorite family recipes, as well as cooking techniques to help you prepare delightful holiday foods without all the extra calories.

You can also take advantage of nature?s bounty with healthful recipes that feature foods in season. Summer brings fresh berries, melons, tomatoes, and many other fruits and vegetables. Fall gives us cranberries, pumpkins, beans, squash, and crisp apples. Winter is a time to enjoy soups, stews, and slow-cooked meals that fill the house with enticing aromas. In spring, we savor lettuce, artichokes, asparagus, new potatoes, and more.

You'll find that it's not only possible, but easy, to make changes to your time-honored recipes to keep traditions alive while eating lighter and healthier.

Holiday & Seasonal Recipes:

• Cinco de Mayo: Recipes for Lighter Mexican Food
• Easter Brunch
• Easter Favorites
• Healthy Holiday Recipes
• Holiday Appetizers: Tips and Recipes
• Holiday Drinks: Tips and Recipes
• Holiday Pies: Tips and Recipes
• Holiday Side Dishes: Halfway Homemade
• Holiday Traditional Dishes: Tips and Recipes
• Holiday Treats: Tips and Recipes for Lighter Goodies
• Mother's Day Dishes: Tips and Recipes for Kids
• Passover Recipes
• Potluck Makeovers
• Road Trip Recipes
• Slow Cooker Holiday Meal Recipes
• Spring Favorites: Easter and Passover Tips
• St. Patrick's Day Recipes
• Summer Marinades: Tips and Recipes
• Summer Meals: Tips and Recipes
• Thanksgiving: Last-minute Tips and Tricks
• Thanksgiving: Tips and Recipes
• Thanksgiving Turkey: Lighter Leftovers
• Valentine's Day: Tips and Recipes
• Winter Meals: Slow Cooker Suppers
• Winter Meals: Soups and Stews

Originally published February 2006.
Updated December 2006.

©2006 WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.

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