Holiday Superfoods

Eat more this season…more holiday superfoods, that Is!

Come December, the warnings commence: “no holiday weight gain!” or “avoid this diet wrecker!” and “beware the holiday snack table!” While it’s true that many traditional holiday foods aren’t exactly good for you, there are a select few that rock our nutritional socks off. Enter: the holiday superfoods!

Chestnuts. Roasted on an open fire, these nuts are a superfood standout! These unique, starchy and sweet nuts are lower in calories than most other nuts and contain less fat. They’re packed with Vitamin C and are rich in folates, which are essential in building red blood cells. And if you need an energy boost this holiday season, look no further than the chestnut. This nut’s high level of B Vitamins provide the prefect, all-natural energizing snack.

Cocktail Shrimp. Yep, they made the list. Cocktail shrimp, (boiled or steamed) are one of the healthier holiday finger foods out there. Four large shrimp contain a mere 25 calories and a whopping 4.5 grams of protein. They’re also very high in blood-building iron, liver detoxifying selenium and immune boosting zinc and vitamin b12.

Pomegranates. This gem of a fruit is packed with powerful antioxidants which fight off free radicals that cause disease, cancer and premature aging.  Studies have shown that regular consumption of pomegranates is effective in protecting against prostate cancer and diabetes. Try sipping pomegranate juice or peel and nibble on the delicious fruits inside.

Brussels Sprouts. We love these things. Not only are they packed with a hefty dose of fiber, which can help keep things "regular” during the holiday season but brussels sprouts are easy to prepare and easy on your wallet. These green superfood nuggets also help protect your eyes from retinal damage and ward off iron deficiency anemia. We love our sprouts halved and roasted with olive oil, salt & pepper and a bit of thyme…yum!

Mulled Wine. What could be more warming than a small cup of mulled wine? We love it – in moderation of course. Mulled wine is red wine with a bit of brandy and spices. Red wine is extremely high in disease-fighting antioxidants and has been shown in several studies to lower blood pressure and help prevent breast cancer. The addition of spices takes mulled wine to the next level. Cinnamon, a regular addition, helps regulate blood sugar levels and improves circulation. Cloves, another common mulled wine spice, reduce inflammation and have local antiseptic properties.

FeelGoodNow Contributor: Lucy Anne Kagan

When she isn't studying food policy or working with non-profit Apple Seeds Inc., to educate children about healthy eating habits, Lucy spends her time in a cowboy hat, riding pretty ponies through the wilderness. She has a propensity for running and wishes she lived in a world where fast food was non-existent, naps were mandatory, and all cows ate nothing but grass.


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