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Holiday Recipes in a Calorie-Restricting Version
Anna Schmidt
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Diets Premium Expert • 23.03.2026
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Scientifically reviewed by a clinical dietitian:
This article has been peer-reviewed for adherence to IŻŻ, WHO, and PTGiP clinical nutritional standards.
| Diets Premium Expert Anna Schmidt | min read 8 min | Scientifically reviewed by a clinical dietitian 23.03.2026 |
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Key Takeaways
One of the traditions associated with Christmas is the preparation of 12 traditional dishes. After the first star appears in the sky, one can sit down at the table and enjoy the taste of their favorite holiday delicacies. However, many dishes served on this day contain large amounts of fat, sugar, cream, mayonnaise, or butter, which constitutes an extra portion of calories and a greater burden on the digestive system.
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Recipe ideas for holiday dishes with a healthy alternative
Holiday dishes can be prepared in a healthier manner, which is less caloric, more nutritious, and richer in nutrients, which will help to avoid digestive discomfort, of course if the food is consumed in moderate quantities. Additionally, it is important to eat regularly throughout the day to prevent uncontrolled hunger and eat smaller portions during holiday feasts.
Red beetroot soup
Red beetroot soup is a meal that is also suitable for vegetarian and vegan dieters. It is recommended to prepare this warming soup with beetroot juice to make it even more valuable. If we don't have ready-made juice, we can use fresh beetroots. A beetroot soup with the addition of cooked beetroots will be more nutritious than the broth itself. Ingredients: 3 beetroots, 1 liter vegetable broth, 3 cloves of garlic, 3 sprigs of English herb, 2 bay leaves, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, black pepper to taste, 2 teaspoons of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar, a pinch of sugar. Preparation: Cut the beetroots in half and then pour over the broth. Add peeled garlic, English herb and bay leaf. Cook covered for about an hour. Then grate the beetroots on a grater and add to the soup along with the vinegar, lemon juice, salt, pepper and a pinch of sugar. Cook for another 10 minutes. Soup can also be served solo, without cooked beetroots (depending on preference), but the one with vegetables will be more filling. It can also be served with dumplings.
Mushroom soup without adding milk
Mushroom soup can be prepared without incorporating milk or with a lesser amount of it. It will remain delicious and provide the body with less fat than a mushroom soup thickened with 30% cream. Ingredients: – 40 g dried mushrooms, – 1 liter vegetable broth, – carrots, – parsley, – onion, – 150 g whole-grain pasta (e.g. noodles or bows), – 2 tablespoons rapeseed oil, – 1/2 cup milk 2%, – 2 cloves, – 2 bay leaves, – 1/2 teaspoon salt, – black pepper to taste, – parsley.
Pierogi crafted with orchid flour filled with cabbage and fungi
We propose the recommendation to utilize whole-grain wheat flour or orchid flour for the creation of pierogi, thereby ensuring they contain more dietary fiber and become more nutritious.
Dumpling dough
200 g of full grain rye or wheat flour (type 1500 or 1850), 100 g of wheat flour (type 550), 190 ml of water, and a teaspoon of oil.
Stuffing for Pierogi
– 200 g of pickled cabbage, – 150 g of mushrooms, – onion, – 1 tablespoon of rapeseed oil, – clove of garlic, – pepper, – salt. Preparation methodPeel the onion, cut it into cubes and fry it in oil. Then add the crushed garlic and finely chopped mushrooms. After frying, add the chopped pickled cabbage. Add some water and cook for about 20 minutes covered. At the end, season the stuffing with pepper and salt.
Low-calorie vegetable bigos
The bigos, the main ingredient of which is pickled cabbage, is a hearty and fiber-rich dish. The meat-free version is gentle on the digestive system and saves calories, allowing for the inclusion of other holiday dishes in the menu. Ingredients: - 500 g of pickled cabbage, - 300 g of button mushrooms, - onion, - carrot, - 5 dried plums, - 2 tablespoons of rapeseed oil, - 2 bay leaves, - 3 English cress seeds, - 3 peppercorns. Preparation: Finely chop the onion and mushrooms and grate the carrot on a coarse grater. Fry the prepared vegetables in heated oil. Then add the finely chopped pickled cabbage, chopped dried plums, bay leaf, pepper and English cress. Cook everything together until the cabbage is soft.
Fish cooked in a Greek style
Fish cooked in a Greek style is a dish that can be prepared a few days before Christmas. It is even recommended that all tastes combine. It's a satiating dish but also valuable because of the omega-3s in fish. It affects the body's resistance and better concentration. Ingredients: 4 fillets of cod or other white fish, wrapping frozen or freshly chopped vegetables in 1/2 strips (450 g of salt), 1/2 pack of tomato sauce (350 g), 2 onions, 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, 2 bay leaves, 3 parsley leaves, 3 peppercorns, salt, oregano, sweet paprika. Method of preparation: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Wash the fish and pat dry. Then smear it with half the oil, season it with salt, pepper and oregano. Wrap the fish in aluminum foil and bake for about 15 minutes. Pour the remaining oil into a pot and fry the chopped onion in it. Then add the vegetables, bay leaves, parsley and pepper. Pour in a cup of water and simmer for about 20 minutes. Then add the tomato sauce and season with salt, paprika, oregano and pepper. Lay a layer of vegetables in the sauce, then the fish and on top of it another layer of vegetables. Put everything in the fridge for at least a day so that the flavors combine.
"Herring with Peas and Egg" - traditional, high-protein delicacy
This traditional, high-protein herring and pea salad, similar to Greek fish dishes, can be prepared in advance. With three protein sources - fish, eggs, and peas - this dish is not only delicious but also satisfying and filling. Ingredients: - 4 fillets of Matijas herring (marinated or salted and previously thoroughly rinsed), - 3 hard-boiled eggs, - 1/2 can of pea conserves, - onion, - 100 g Greek yogurt, - parsley. Preparation: Cut the egg into cubes. Rinse the herring thoroughly if it is very salty. Cut the fish into 4-cm pieces. Drain the peas and finely chop the onion. Finely chop the parsley. The preparation of the salad involves layering: first we place the herring, then the onion, the peas, the yogurt, the eggs, and sprinkle with parsley. You can also mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
A whole grain baked good with dried plums
Many dishes, whether during the Christmas season or on subsequent holidays, will complement this bread. It should be nutritious – rich in fiber, iron, and magnesium. The wonderful aroma of freshly baked bread spreading throughout the house is something special. Ingredients: 300 g whole grain rye flour, 200 g wheat bread flour, 100 g dried prunes sliced into strips, 7 g dry yeast (or 25 g fresh yeast), 350 ml warm water, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon honey. Preparation: Dissolve the yeast in warm water with honey. In a bowl, combine flours, salt, and sliced prunes, add the yeast mixture, and knead into an elastic dough. Cover and let rise for about 1 hour. Transfer to a greased loaf tin and bake at 200°C for 40–45 minutes until golden and crusty.
Spiced chocolate confectionery
This delightful confectionery is closely associated with Christmas, similar to poppy seed cake. It is an aromatic pastry that contains spices. Ingredients: - 1 1/2 cups of oatmeal or melted oat flakes, - 4 pieces of eggs, - 1/2 tablespoon of bitter chocolate, - 1/3 cubes of butter or 70 ml of vegetable oil, - 5 teaspoons of erythritol or xylitol, - 2 teaspoons of honey, - 2 teaspoons of spice mix for gingerbread, - 1 teaspoon of baking powder. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Break the chocolate and melt it in a pot with butter or oil. Then, pour the chocolate mixture into a bowl and add flour, eggs, sweetener, honey, spice mix, and baking powder. Mix everything well and pour it onto a baking sheet. Bake the pastry for about 30 minutes at 180°C.
Apples under the oatmeal flake sprinkle with cinnamon additive
Cinnamon is a warming spice associated with the magical Christmas season. The combination of apples with cinnamon additive is always checked when you want to eat something sweet. Ingredients: - 5 apples - 1/4 of a cube of butter - 5 tablespoons of erythritol or xylitol - 50 grams of whole grain flour (type 1850) - 50 grams of oatmeal flakes - 1 1/2 tablespoons of cinnamon Preparation: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Peel the apples and cut them into cubes, then mix them with half of the cinnamon. Cut the butter into small pieces and knead it with the sweetener, flour, oatmeal flakes and the remaining cinnamon to make crumbles. Pour the apples into a form (e.g. for a cake) and sprinkle the prepared crumbles evenly on top. Bake for about 25 minutes.
Poppy seed balls of a maximum thickness of 10 mm
Healthy and very delicious poppy seed balls that contain a lot of calcium, fiber, and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E. In addition to the traditional poppy seed cake, it is worth trying other sweets containing poppy seeds. Ingredients: – 15 dried plums, – 12 dried dates, – 4 teaspoons quick oats, – 4 tablespoons poppy seeds, – freshly squeezed orange juice, – 4 tablespoons cocoa. Preparation: Place poppy seeds on a dry pan and fry for a short time, so as not to burn. Then cool and grind in a coffee grinder. Pour hot water over dried fruits and wait until they swell and soften. Drain the water, add freshly squeezed orange juice, oats, ground poppy seeds and mix to a smooth mass. Form small balls from the mass and roll them in cocoa. Cool the balls in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. During the holidays, you can enjoy lighter dishes and avoid digestive problems.
Anna Schmidt
✓Diets Premium Expert
Diets Premium team expert. Specializes in nutrition plans, strength sports, and training plans.
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