Rethinking Our âTraditionalâ Side Dishes
Letâs be honest, do people actually love green bean casserole, or is it just what weâve always done?
Every year, the same lineup appears on holiday tables across America: mashed potatoes swimming in butter, sugar-loaded sweet potato casserole, marshmallows on top (really?), and that infamous green bean dish that no one wants to admit they donât actually enjoy.
We call it âtradition,â but sometimes, tradition is just habit in a prettier dish.
Why We Keep Making the Same Sides
Food memories run deep. Those recipes remind us of family, childhood, and comfort, but they donât always make us feel good afterward.
That heavy, bloated feeling after dinner? Itâs not just overeating, itâs often the hidden salt, sugar, and fat tucked into those traditional recipes.
What if this year, you kept the comfort but ditched the âfood hangoverâ?
Thatâs where the idea of unjunking your side dishes comes in.
Unjunked Side Dish Swaps to Try
Mashed Cauliflower instead of heavy mashed potatoes - same creaminess, half the calories.
Roasted Green Beans with Garlic & Almonds instead of canned soup casserole.
Maple-Roasted Carrots or Sweet Potatoes instead of the marshmallow version.
Quinoa Stuffing with Cranberries & Herbs instead of white-bread stuffing.
Just one swap can save you hundreds of calories and grams of fat, and youâll still walk away from the table satisfied, not stuffed.
The Numbers Donât Lie
A typical holiday plate can easily climb past 1,200â1,800 calories, with over 50â70g of fat.
By swapping in a few lighter, whole-food sides, you could cut that by nearly 500 calories, the equivalent of a whole slice of pie!
And more importantly, youâll skip that âI need a napâ feeling that hits after dinner.
A Thought to Take With You
Tradition isnât about keeping the same recipes, itâs about keeping the same feeling: love, connection, and good food shared together.
This year, create new traditions that make you feel energized, not exhausted.
Start with one swap, maybe the Unjunked Mashed Cauliflower from our latest recipe post, and build from there. Your family might just thank you when they realize they feel good after dinner this year.
If youâre looking for simple ways to lighten up your favorite comfort foods, grab a copy of our Unjunk Your Favorite Meals e-book!
Itâs packed with easy swaps, lighter versions of classic dishes, and practical tips for bringing balance back to your plate, no guilt, no deprivation, just real food that makes you feel amazing.
đ Get it here and start your unjunked holiday tradition!
Ready to Unjunk Your Holiday Table?
If youâre looking for simple ways to lighten up your favorite comfort foods, grab a copy of our Unjunk Your Favorite Meals e-book!
Itâs packed with easy swaps, lighter versions of classic dishes, and practical tips for bringing balance back to your plate, no guilt, no deprivation, just real food that makes you feel amazing.
Michelle Walker
a mom, former educator, and the founder of Unjunk America - a movement dedicated to helping families ditch processed foods, decode food labels, and reconnect with real food. With a warm, no-judgment approach, Michelle empowers parents to make simple, sustainable changes in their kitchens, one meal at a time.
Learn more or join the movement at UnjunkAmerica.com.
