Healthy Christmas Recipes

This simple yet flavorful side is sure to be the highlight of any meal. But be warned: The tamari almonds are so delicious you may need to make extra for snacking.

This dish adds tropical flavor to a nutrient-rich sweet potato by topping it with cilantro, coconut flakes, and pomegranate seeds.

The skin of rutabaga is thick and tough, so you'll want to use a sharp, hefty chef's knife to remove it entirely and later to cut the flesh. The maple glaze tends to caramelize quickly, so be sure to keep an eye on the vegetables during the final stage of roasting.

Butter and cream usually mean mashed potatoes are off-limits for vegans, but this variation gets its silky texture from white beans instead. Adding the legumes also doubles the amount of protein compared with traditional spuds.

The mustard-brown sugar glaze gives these roasted vegetables a flavorful lift.

Avgolemono gets its smooth and thick consistency not from cream but from eggs; they're tempered by hot chicken broth and whisked into the soup just before serving. Shredded boneless, skinless chicken breast makes this soup a filling one that is nevertheless low in calories and fat.

These tender, tasty little birds are marinated in pomegranate molasses. Serve them with wild-rice salad.

Sweet and delicious, figs make the perfect pairing for a thin slice of Prosciutto di Parma -- which, by the way, is nitrate-free and low in saturated fat. Get more healthy holiday recipes

The bold color and flavor of this side dish is the perfect complement to Roast Turkey with Cornbread Stuffing.

Take familiar techniques, like roasting, and apply them in new ways for this delicious side.

A vinaigrette made with citrus and fennel seeds brightens this colorful, crunchy salad made with beets and carrots.

In this take on the green-bean casserole, cheese ravioli replaces the heavy mushroom soup, while sauteed shallots and crunchy toasted almonds stand in for the fried onions.

Fennel becomes sweet and caramelized in this simple holiday side dish.

Pitas can be more than just pockets! Use the flatbread to create seasoned breadcrumbs for this easy vegetable side.

Dried cherries can be used in place of the tart cranberries.

Fresh rosemary infuses lightly sweetened apples with an unexpected aroma and flavor.

Amy Pennington, creator of GoGo Green Garden, made-over her favorite Thanksgiving recipe with vegan ingredients. The nut cream makes the rutabagas velvety, yet still filling and lush.

Not only is this picture-perfect parfait delicious, it's also a refreshingly light way to start the morning. Try our recipe for Homemade Granola.

A surprisingly good source of vitamin C, the raw parsnips in this healthy holiday side have slightly more of the antioxidant than their cooked counterparts.

This year, don't reach for powdered ginger. Fresh ginger gives this traditional dessert a more nutritious, flavorful update.

A spicy blend of pomegranate and orange juices and apple cider is served warm.

This salad combines bitter and spicy lettuces with the sweetness of winter oranges and the tart flavor of red-wine vinegar.

The most beautiful ruby-red grapefruit is available in December; use it to make this jewel-like salad. In other seasons, the grapefruit will be smaller and you will need more.

Sure, you've had oatmeal in a sweet, but these cookies also contain spelt flour, which has a nutty, slightly sweet flavor. A dark-chocolate coating and a sprinkling of flaky salt make the ideal finishing touches.