A Healthy Holiday Menu

Chef Gary Appelsies,
Director of Healthy Eating, YMCA of Central Florida

If you are anything like me and my wife, we look forward to the holidays all year long. Not just the holiday season but all the holidays throughout the year. Holidays are a time for celebration and to spend with family and friends. We always have something fun and different on our menu. Months before we get phone calls, texts and emails asking what we might be planning. Food is the great connector; it somehow brings people together. It connects us to memories; it comforts us and bridges generations.

So, headed into the holidays we would like to offer you two different menu ideas to try out and share with your family and friends. Don’t just limit yourself to these menus. Have fun with them, mix and match items to find combinations that your crowd will love.

Menu #1

Starter: https://ymcacf.org/programs/healthyeating/recipes/goat-cheese-stuffed-tomatoes/

Main dish: https://ymcacf.org/programs/healthyeating/recipes/lemon-chicken/

Side: https://ymcacf.org/programs/healthyeating/recipes/couscous-with-butternut-squash-apple-and-cranberry/

Dessert: https://ymcacf.org/programs/healthyeating/recipes/chocolate-holiday-bark/

Menu #2 (Vegetarian)

Starter: https://ymcacf.org/programs/healthyeating/recipes/creamy-everyday-hummus/

Main dish: https://ymcacf.org/programs/healthyeating/recipes/grilled-eggplant-parmesan/

Side: https://ymcacf.org/programs/healthyeating/recipes/tomato-feta-and-potato-salad-with-capers/

Dessert: https://ymcacf.org/programs/healthyeating/recipes/banana-oatmeal-cookies/

While this holiday season may look a bit different this year you can still plan to celebrate and enjoy in a healthy way. You may be celebrating on a video call with family or friends and have your close family around the table. No matter how you celebrate or who you are with it’s the food that will bring you together.

Happy Holidays,
Chef Gary Appelsies
Director of Healthy Eating, YMCA of Central Florida

About the Author

Gary Appelsies, is a Nutritionist, Chef and Food and Beverage professional with more than 30 years of experience. His passion for food and nutrition has led him on a life long journey of helping people feel better through the food they eat and teaching the importance of healthy lifestyles. Chef Gary holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts and a Master’s Degree in Integrative Nutrition. He is also the co-founder of Culinary Cares, an organization that supports the community in times of need.