LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Assistant chef Keegan Montgomery has many great ideas to turn tradition holiday meals into something that is less stressful, on the waistline of your pants anyway.
"I don't think you'd even miss the brown sugar in this particular recipe," Montgomery said.
She replaced brown sugar with apples in a sweet potato casserole.
For executive chef Patricia Ratliff, tis the season for healthy substitutes.
"Applesauce instead of oils in your baking," Ratliff said
Because the kitchen angels believe a big Christmas shouldn't mean you're bigger than ever.
"The main thing really is keeping your goals in mind," she said.
Nutritionist Taylor Grisham is a firm believer in intuitive eating.
"So really a lot of it is just tuning yourself into clues your body is telling you," Grisham said.
Know when your body is saying "stop." And follow the one bite just right rule.
"When we crave something, that first bite really kind of does it for us," Grisham said.
You might even crave broccoli the way Ratliff fixes it.
"Lightly toasted almonds on top of the broccoli is delicious," Ratliff said.
Need a healthy option for your party?
"We do a lot of hummus and vegetable trays," she said.
No matter which way you slice it, healthy holidays are possible.
"Eating good and healthy is doable. And eating those not so healthy foods in moderation is OK, too," Ratliff said.
You catch that? Give in to temptation as long as you ...
"Portion those out," she said. "Get small portions in each thing that you really want."
Pat's low-sodium turkey, so moist and tender. It had our anchor dreaming of a white-meat Christmas.
"Why not," she said.
Yes.Why not have yourself a very healthy Christmas?