7 Healthy Menu Ideas for Winter
Just like bears, we tend to put on a little extra weight in the winter. Between the holidays kicking our sweet tooth into high gear to cold January nights curled up with a warm casserole, opting for healthier options can be a challenge.
We’re sharing seven healthy winter menu ideas that will warm you up and prove that it is possible to be healthy during the coldest days of the year. No hibernation necessary!
Winter Beet and Pomegranate Salad with Maple Candied Pecans and Balsamic Citrus Dressing
Tossed with in-season produce, this winter salad is loaded with antioxidants to protect against winter illness- thanks to the pomegranates- and a bit of every essential vitamin and mineral your body needs, courtesy of the beets.
Enjoy this salad for lunch or as part of Christmas Eve dinner.
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with Sweet Potato Casserole
A favorite Thanksgiving duo gets a healthy reboot. The turkey is prepared in a slow cooker, saving mess, time, and frustration while the sweet potato casserole adds a sweet, creamy texture to the meal. As a bonus, both are Paleo!
Roasted Cauliflower, Tomato, and Goat Cheese Casserole
This vegetable-based savory casserole is seasoned with several spices along with garlic and onion. Two free-range eggs hold it together, adding protein to keep you full and satisfied.
Paleo Beef Stew & Dinner Roll
A healthier version of a go-to winter stew, this Paleo beef stew is prepped in 15 minutes and cooked in a slow cooker so you can set it and forget it. This savory stew calls for eight different spices along with garlic and balsamic vinegar for a punch of flavor. Paired with a nut-free, coconut-free Paleo dinner roll, this is a comforting winter meal.
Classic French Bouillabaisse
Inspired by the traditional French dish, this bouillabaisse calls for three kinds of fish that can be customized based on what’s fresh in your area. If you’re a fish fanatic, follow the recipe’s recommendation of shrimp, salmon, cod, manila clams, and bay mussels.
The flavor comes from fennel bulbs, onion, leek, garlic, tomatoes, and plenty of seasonings, including the peel of an orange. You don’t need summer to enjoy a fish feast!
Warm Winter Kale and Delicata Squash Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
Enjoy a serving of a top superfood while savoring the squash, hazelnuts, cranberries, and warming spices it’s prepared with. This warm winter salad is cooked, making the kale easier to digest. Enjoy on it’s own or as a side dish.
Quinoa Chicken Pot Pie
This casserole-style take on a chicken potpie cuts back on the amount of crust (it’s only on the top!), which is made from quinoa.
You’ll still find your favorite potpie vegetables in this recipe, including onion, peas, carrots, and corn submerged in creamy gravy.
You can still enjoy winter favorites without the weight gain by opting for any of these menu ideas. Bon appétite!
Meet Rootasters:
Meg is a dreamer, entrepreneur, and homesteader based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. She loves her cats, feasting, and road trips in her green VW Bug.