Happier, Healthier Holidays

The holidays are filled with temptations and opportunities to over-indulge, and if you’re managing your health and weight, the season can feel anything but merry.

Depriving yourself of your favorite holiday treats isn’t only unpleasant, it’s also unnecessary. Many experts recommend that instead, you focus on building a healthier lifestyle through a well-balanced, long-term eating plan. For example, Atkins offers a balanced approach with foods containing fiber-rich and nutrient-dense carbohydrates, as well as good fats and proteins, while focusing on reduced levels of refined carbohydrates and added sugars. When preparing your holiday menu, look for recipes that contain adequate protein, healthy fats and high-fiber carbohydrates, and you’ll be able to enjoy the flavors of the season without guilt.

Learn more about the benefits of a balanced, low-carb approach to eating at Atkins.com.

Garlic Rosemary Pork Loin

Recipe courtesy of “Atkins: Eat Right, Not Less

1 pound boneless porkloin

Olive oil cooking spray

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, thinly sliced

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. In small skillet over medium heat, cook pork loin, fatty-side down, 4-5 minutes to brown top and render some fat. Coat 7-by-11-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Place pork loin in dish.

In small bowl, combine mustard, garlic, and rosemary; stir well. Spoon mixture over pork. Transfer to oven and bake 45 minutes to an hour, until loin is cooked through but still slightly pink in center.

When pork is cooked, let rest 5 minutes before slicing. Slice and serve immediately.

Sweet Potato Pumpkin Puree

Recipe courtesy of Atkins.com

3 large egg whites

5 tablespoons sugar substitute

1/2 cup pecans

1-1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled

1/4 cup unsalted butter stick

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

15 ounces pumpkin (no salt, drained, cooked, boiled)

Heat oven to 250 degrees F. Lightly butter baking sheet. In medium mixing bowl, beat egg whites with electric mixer at high speed until foamy. Gradually add 3 tablespoons sugar substitute and continue mixing until soft peaks form. Spoon onto prepared baking sheet and spread with spatula to 1/4-inch thickness. Bake 35 minutes. Turn oven off; let meringue stand in oven 45 minutes. Crush meringue and place in bowl. Add pecans and toss gently to combine. Set aside.

While meringue is resting, place sweet potatoes in medium saucepan. Cover with water to 2 inches above potatoes and bring to boil. Cook until tender, about 20 minutes, and drain. Return saucepan to medium-high heat. Add potatoes, butter, cream, remaining sugar substitute, salt, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and pumpkin puree. Stir to combine. Mash with potato masher until smooth. Heat through, about 1 minute.

Transfer potato mixture to serving dish and cover with meringue topping.

Salted Caramel Cheesecake Bites

Recipe courtesy of “Atkins: Eat Right, Not Less”

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/3 cup plain protein powder

2 tablespoons stevia

6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

1/3 cup chopped almonds or macadamia nuts

1 tablespoon sugar-free caramel syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon xanthan gum (optional)

1/4 teaspoon sea salt or sea salt flakes

In large mixing bowl, combine heavy cream with protein powder and stevia. Whisk until smooth. Add cream cheese, almonds or macadamia nuts, caramel syrup and vanilla extract; blend until smooth. If cream cheese clumps slightly, mix with rubber spatula, breaking up bits of cream cheese against side of bowl.

Sprinkle mixture with xanthan gum, if desired, and mix about 30 seconds. Mixture will thicken slightly.

Cover tray that will fit into freezer with sheet of wax paper. Using soup spoon, scoop mixture onto tray, making 18 mounds. Alternatively, use two silicone candy molds or empty ice cube tray coated with olive oil spray and press cheesecake mixture into 18 molds. Sprinkle with sea salt.

Freeze at least one hour before serving.

Note: Can be stored in freezer up to 1 month.

Tip: Switch up flavors by using sugar-free hazelnut syrup in place of caramel and hazelnuts or walnuts instead of almonds.