The holidays are notorious for sugary treats. From the office Christmas party to the family cookie exchange, everyone loves to bake and share their favorite creations.
And there’s nothing wrong with allowing yourself a little indulgence once in a while. My mom makes the best vanilla fudge, and even I enjoy it once a year.
However, things can get out of hand during the holidays. Diets get tossed aside, pants get tight, and that “blarg” feeling hits an all-time high (along with the guilt).
Instead of beating yourself up over all of the holiday treats you’re indulging in (or forcing yourself to miss out on), try some of these super-healthy, even slimming, holiday smoothie creations.
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#1: Apple Pie Smoothie Recipe
<align=”left”>Apple pie is one of my favorite holiday desserts. I have some really fond memories of going to the apple orchard and picking apples to make an apple pie from scratch. I would literally spend six hours making one pie as I would take my time and make it with lots of love. I still make apple pie, but I usually only make it once a year. Now I enjoy this healthy, (and MUCH faster to make) version a few times a year.
#2: Pumpkin Spiced Latte Green Smoothie Recipe
This is one of those fall indulgences that I quickly wanted to replace with something a lot healthier. I used to love pumpkin spiced lattes in the fall, but now they just taste like chemicals and sugar (which is pretty much what they are!).
This healthy smoothie recipe is only 126 calories per serving and it makes enough for two. You are not only getting a delicious treat, but you are getting a nutritionally packed drink full of vitamins and minerals.
#3: The Blended Jack-o-Lantern Smoothie Recipe
This is a fun pumpkin-flavored smoothie with the addition of a chocolate Jack-o-Lantern face in the glass. It’s actually not that hard to make and kids love it!
It’s the perfectly sweet indulgence if you’re trying to stay out of the candy basket on Halloween night.
#4: Pumpkin Pie Smoothie Recipe
This mainstay of Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners was the first pie smoothie recipe I created, and I think that it successfully recreates the flavor profile of a homemade pumpkin pie.
Indulge in the decadence of a delicious pumpkin pie without all of the work – and the guilt – any time of the year!
#5: Vegan “Eggnog” Smoothie Recipe
I have many fond memories of drinking eggnog with my family around the holidays. I am not a dairy drinker anymore, and while their are numerous vegan eggnog substitutions out there, I prefer this delicious smoothie version made with real foods!
While this recipe is 160 calories per serving, it is made with whole food ingredients that are good for you.
#6: Gingerbread Smoothie Recipe
Gingerbread is a delicious holiday treat, but sometimes you want to enjoy the treat without all the processed sugars and simple carbohydrates. While you can’t make a pretty house out of this recipe, you can drink this while you make a gingerbread house. You’ll be less tempted to eat it afterward, too!
This smoothie is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free and egg-free, so almost anyone can enjoy it.
#7: Pecan Pie Smoothie Recipe
I have never made a pecan pie myself, but my mom used to make them growing up. They were always out with the pumpkin and apples pies after Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. This smoothie approximates a pecan pie quite nicely, but without all of the unhealthy fat and sugar.
#8: Apple Cider Smoothie
I think this super-simple smoothie tastes just like freshly pressed apple cider. In fact, it contains everything that apple cider contains (the whole apple), except that it hasn’t been bottled, pasteurized and shipped to stores in plastic jugs! Add a little cinnamon for the perfect cider taste!
#9: Key Lime Pie Smoothie Recipe
My husband’s family had a tradition of eating key lime pie after their New Years dinner. While I was never much of a fan of key lime pie, my husband turned me onto it, and I quickly got to work making a healthy smoothie version of this treat.
While we both still enjoy a slice occasionally when we go out to a restaurant, we both have really come to enjoy the smoothie version better.
#10: Shamrock Shake Green Smoothie
The final smoothie recipe in this list re-creates a favorite flavor of early spring – the minty “Shamrock Shake”. While I have never indulged in the fast food version of this shake, I couldn’t help but create a healthy, vegan version using whole food ingredients.
I used fresh mint and frozen bananas to create this tasty, and healthier St. Paddy’s Day treat.
Want More Whole Food Holiday Recipes?
As you work your way down this list of healthy holiday smoothie recipes, consider incorporating these healthy non-smoothie ideas into your holiday dinners:
#1: Vegan Butternut Squash Soup
#2: Easy No-Cook Apple Sauce In Your Blender
#3: Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe
#4: Vegan Pumpkin Pudding with Macadamia Nut Cream Topping
Have a happy and healthy holiday season!
Need To Lose Weight After The Holidays?
The holidays can pack on the pounds. I always hate getting on the scale in January! Ditch the New Year’s diet and embrace a green smoothie and whole foods lifestyle.
My weight loss boot camp is a complete, daily meal plan with nutrition info and shopping lists, daily 15-minute workout routines (you’re not too busy for these!), and so much more. You also get access to my community support group to help you lose weight faster! It’s the last weight loss program you will need to purchase!
Tracy Russell is the creator of RESET 28: A 28-Day Program For Energy, Weight Loss & A Healthy Glow, and founder of Incredible Smoothies. She has been helping people take control of their health and well being with green smoothies, a whole foods diet, and fitness since 2009.
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