Healthy Fun & Hormone-Friendly Food Dishes To Bring To Holiday Parties

'Tis the season to be jolly! But, between gift shopping, parties, and traveling, it can be hard to find time to stick to a healthy diet.

The holidays are a time to celebrate with family and friends, but they can also be a time of overindulgence or fear for many women struggling with managing hormonal problems.

I remember at the beginning trying to manage my hormonal symptoms (specifically my painful periods and my mood swings) and how scary it was at the thought of not eating at home.  I was constantly worrying about what I was going to eat, what was going to be served, and what would have too much sugar or dairy in it and cause me problems.

It used to cause me a lot of anxiety, usually unfounded because I was almost always able to find something to eat, but sometimes it was really disappointing when some of the only things I could eat came from the fruit and veggie trays.    

I started making some really great hormone-friendly, plant-based dishes that I could bring with me to parties and surprised everyone with tasty and fun dishes that they could enjoy, too! It actually has become a fun little game of mine to bring these healthier options, slip them on the table when no one is looking, and laugh at how much they all enjoy it not even knowing how healthy they are!

If you're worried about not being able to find something to eat at holiday parties this year or how eating traditional holiday foods may trigger a hormonal flare-up, consider the benefits of eating healthier during the holidays.

Eating well will help you feel more energized and enjoy all the festivities without the fear of how you're going to feel later on or being stuck to the fruit & veggie trays!

So go ahead and indulge in some holiday treats, but make sure to include plenty of healthy foods, too!

Today, we’re breaking down just a couple of fun and healthy food dishes that you can bring to holiday parties, for everyone to enjoy!

1. Vegan Air Fryer Pickle Spears 

Everyone loves deep-fried pickles, but traditional deep-fried foods add a lot of trans fats that can increase your chances of inflammation and contribute to a more difficult period. Reduce your inflammatory load by air frying instead of deep frying.

2. Vegan Spinach & Artichoke Dip

There is nothing like a good spinach dip on the table that screams holiday parties! As a die-hard cheese lover before moving to a plant-based diet, this was one that took me a long time to let go of when I was transitioning.  I used to tell myself: "oh it's okay, I haven't had much dairy lately, I'll be fine".  How wrong I was! A1 dairy proteins have caused me a lot of hormone havoc, and I'm not alone, plenty of women struggle with their hormones because of A1 proteins.  So when I came across this recipe, I was pleased that I'd still be able to enjoy my favourite holiday dip without the pain and hell I had attached to it!

3. Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms

Not everyone loves mushrooms, but I think we can all agree that a party isn't complete if there isn't a tray of stuffed mushrooms on the table! They're a tasty little appetizer and a great way to add some non-traditional veggies to your snacks!

4. Sweet Potato Crostini

Skip the gluten-loaded crackers and white bread this year and try using sweet potato instead! This tasty little recipe is so simple to make and can be dressed up or dressed down to your liking.

5. Vegan Crab Cakes

I promise you, there's no crab in this little snack, but it's not lacking flavour!  If you really want that fishy taste, you can even sprinkle in some kelp flakes to deepen the flavour of this dish!

The holidays are a time for family, friends, and fun. It can also be a time when throwing out our habits becomes the norm. This is why it’s so important to make sure you have plenty of healthy options available in your home this holiday season! With just a few simple changes in our eating habits, we can avoid hormonal symptoms like weight gain, painful periods, PMS, and energy crashes during the holidays and live healthier lives overall!

Enjoy your healthy AND healthy holiday season this year!