5 Healthy Holiday Recipes

I love the holidays. I get to visit my grandparents in Louisiana, enjoy some downtime, and experience some epic southern-style food. My grandmother’s southern recipes are truly special. This year, I used them as inspiration for my own take on holiday foods. I’ve recreated delicious traditional dishes with more protein and less sugar.

If you want to enjoy holiday fare without worrying about what damage you’re doing to your waistline, you need to try these recipes. They’re easy, yummy, and boast excellent macronutrient profiles. Bring any of them to your holiday get-together, and I guarantee you’ll be the talk of the evening. Or, if you’re feeling selfish, make a pie for yourself and enjoy it as a post-workout treat!

So, grab your apron and a mixing bowl. It’s time to spend some time in the kitchen. Let me know how your recipes turned out and what additions you made in the comments section below. Happy baking!

1 Chocolate Pudding Pie

This is one of the simplest recipes imaginable. All you need is five ingredients and a mixing bowl. Easy as it is, this recipe tastes so good. It’s cool and creamy, but the best part is that it’s full of muscle-building protein!

• 1 cup fat-free milk (or equal substitute)
• 1 package sugar-free, fat-free chocolate pudding
• 4 oz fat-free Cool Whip
• 2 scoops chocolate casein protein (I used Optimum 100% Casein)
• 1 chocolate pie crust

1. Combine pudding powder and casein.
2. Stir in milk and Cool Whip until mixture is thick.
3. Pour mixture into chocolate pie crust and let it cool in fridge for 30 minutes before serving.

Recipe notes

Try adding sprinkles, a spoonful of Cool Whip, or mini chocolate chips as a delicious garnish. Or, if you have a tight rein on your carbs, do away with the pie crust and make an epic chocolate pudding.

Chocolate Pudding Pie PDF (38.6 KB)

2 Pumpkin Protein Oat Bars

These yummy bars are perfect for a post-workout treat. Pack a couple in your gym bag so you have easy access after you’re done training. Seriously, these bars are so good you’ll make them a permanent part of your Sunday food preparation.

• 1 cup pumpkin
• 1-1/2 cup oats
• 2 scoops vanilla or cinnamon protein (I used Dymatize ISO cinnamon roll blend)
• 1/2 cup baking Splenda
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp carob chips

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F
2. Combine oats, protein powder, Splenda, cinnamon, and carob chips.
3. Add pumpkin, vanilla, and peanut butter, and thoroughly stir until the mixture has a cookie-batter consistency.
4. Pour batter on a greased or foiled cake pan. Distribute evenly.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Try adding dried fruit like cranberries or dates, and nuts like pecans or almonds, for extra taste and texture!

Pumpkin Protein Oat Bars PDF (38.7 KB)

3 Sweet Potato Parmesan Patty

These little bites of deliciousness began as an experiment and are now a regular part of my meal plan. I like them for every meal! They’re best right after they’re done cooking, but they heat up well, so you can pack them as part of a healthy lunch.

• 1-1/2 cup mashed sweet potatoes
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
• 2 egg whites
• Dried basil, to taste
• Onion powder, to taste
• Garlic powder, to taste
• 2 tbsp basil or olive oil

1. Cook a large sweet potato in the microwave until it’s soft enough to mash.
2. Add parmesan cheese and egg whites to the warm potatoes and stir well.
3. Place a nonstick frying pan on medium to low heat and add oil.
4. Spoon the potato mixture into the pan to make a circular patty.
5. Spice the potato patty as desired and sprinkle more parmesan on top.
6. Carefully flip patty and add spice the opposite side.
7. It should take 2-4 minutes to cook each side of the patty, depending on your preferences. The parmesan side should be nice and crisp.

Sweet Potato Parmesan Patty PDF (38.7 KB)

4 Protein Chai Latte

Chilly winter evenings often call for a cozy blanket and a hot, tasty beverage. No need to waste carbs and calories on a sugary drink. Try this smooth, protein-packed tea latte that will make any regular evening special.

• 1 scoop cinnamon casein (I use Dymatize cinnamon roll casein)
• 1 tsp decaf chai spice mix

1. Boil water.
2. Pour water into mug and add casein and chai spice mix.
3. Stir until well-combined.
4. Sip and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Some types of protein do not respond well to hot water. I have found casein works the best, and even creates a frothy latte layer on top. Mmmmmmm!

Protein Chai Latte PDF (26.4 KB)

5 Protein Pumpkin Pecan Pie

The holidays don’t live up to their name without some pumpkin pie. This year, bring this healthier recipe to your family celebration. No one will be able to tell the difference between this amazing pie and the sugar-laden one they’re used to having.

• 1-1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp cloves
• 1/2 tsp allspice
• 1/2 tsp ginger
• Pinch salt
• 1/2 cup egg whites
• 1 can pumpkin
• 1/2 cup fat-free milk
• 1/4 cup brown sugar Splenda
• 1 scoop vanilla, cinnamon, or pumpkin protein
• 1 pie crust
• Handful of pecans

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Combine cinnamon, cloves, allspice, ginger, salt, Splenda, and protein in a bowl.
3. Add eggs, pumpkin, and milk to the bowl and stir.
4. Pour pumpkin mixture into the pie crust and spread evenly. Arrange pecans on top.
5. Bake for 45-55 minutes and enjoy.

Protein Pumpkin Pecan Pie PDF (27.1 KB)

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