Healthy Christmas Dinner Alternatives for Those Living with Heart Disease

Eating a healthy diet is important when you are living with heart disease. This includes eating many fruits and vegetables, getting plenty of fibre, monitoring your sodium intake, and drinking more water. As the holidays approach, it can be daunting to host or attend a traditional holiday meal and when you must be health conscious. Luckily, we have pulled together ten heart healthy holiday recipes so you can celebrate the holidays like normal, while still being kind to your heart. From appetizers to sides, and main courses to dessert, we have included delicious and easy recipes for your whole dinner.

1. Oven Roasted Butternut Squash. Squash makes a simple and delicious addition to any meal. Get the recipe here. 
2. Root Vegetable Mash. Try swapping traditional mashed potatoes for a mixture of mashed root vegetables. Mix together potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips, and parsnips for a colourful and healthier alternative. Get the full recipe here.
3. Rapini. Add some greens to the menu with sautéed rapini and red bell pepper. Get the full recipe here. 
4. Roasted Beet Salad. The delicious combination of roasted beets and walnuts, and the added benefits of essential vitamins and minerals makes this salad a must at any meal. Get the full recipe here.
5. Stuffed Mushrooms. This recipe is delicious and good for you as mushrooms are rich in B vitamins which help protect your heart health. Get the full recipe here.
6. Low-Sodium Stuffing. Following tradition, try this heart healthy low sodium turkey stuffing at your holiday dinner. It is tasty and healthy! Get the full recipe here. 
7. Porcini Mushroom Gravy. This light gravy is low in calories and saturated fat so you can enjoy all of the gravy you want, with no worry or repercussions on your health. Get the full recipe here. 
8. Slow Cooked Turkey. Try a slow and easy turkey with dill! Take a fresh approach to a classic holiday staple by adding the turkey to your slow cooker with some fresh lemon and dill and cook for 5 hours. Get the full recipe here.  
9. Sugar Cookies. This recipe swaps out ingredients for whole wheat flour, honey, and lemon zest for an equally (if not more) delicious sugar cookie dessert. Get the full recipe here.
10. Pumpkin Pie. Baking smart can lower calories, sugars, and sodium. So, we found this fantastic Heart Smart Pumpkin Pie recipe, so you do not have to skip out on dessert! Get the full recipe here. 

Good luck and happy cooking! We wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday. Treat your family to heart healthy recipes this year so everyone around the table is included. And, read our blog post for more information on eating a heart healthy diet.