Thanksgiving has come and gone, leaving us and our fridges stuffed. While it might be tempting to eat leftover pumpkin pie for breakfast, stuffing for lunch, and more pie for dinner, another hefty round of holiday food is quickly closing in.
If you are still craving all the fall flavors, but aren’t as excited about all the holiday calories, you’ve come to the right place. This list contains several light but seasonal eats to get you through the mid-holiday weeks.
Breakfast
It will taste like a treat but leave you feeling fresh and ready for the day. Enjoy it with some fresh fruit and nut butter for a well-rounded and filling meal.
Pack in the protein and fresh veggies with this quick and simple breakfast sandwich. The bright red tomato and dark green spinach will get you pumped for Christmas.
This seasonal dish is perfect to whip up for the family in town, and won’t leave everyone in need of a nap afterwards. It is the perfect energizing start to a day of Christmas shopping, family story-telling, and sight-seeing.
Lunch and Dinner
This salad makes a solid seasonal meal, and the perfect light side dish to share. It is simple to make, packed with fall flavors, and not too indulgent.
The citrus makes it fresh and the apple makes it Fall. It is the perfect light dinner to follow a heavy leftover-full lunch.
Vegan Pesto Spaghetti Squash Bake
Spaghetti squash makes the best healthy pasta alternative. Top it with pesto and tofu ricotta to make a hearty and wholesome meal.
This soup is the warm and slightly spicy, yet not so heavy meal you need over the holidays. Top it with toasted pumpkin seeds and enjoy it by the fire.
Snacks
This granola is not too sweet, and can be eaten by the handful, making it the perfect Fall-inspired, mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Make a big batch and leave it on the counter for everyone at home to snack on.
Skip the party dip and make your own hummus. Serve it with fresh veggies and crackers, or spread it on your sandwich.
If you have a sweet tooth, but have had it with the pie, whip up some apple chips. These provide you with a low-sugar alternative to the apple desserts all around you and leave your house will smelling like fall.
Its okay to indulge here and there but you might regret eating like it’s Christmas every day until 2017. If you are craving Fall flavors, but need a break from sweet potato pie and leftover stuffing, try some light and seasonal eats instead. That way, you will be more than ready when the time for Christmas cookies and hot cocoa rolls around.