Liv Life Liverpool

12 Days of Christmas: Healthy Meals at Christmas

Traditional Christmas dinner alternatives with a festive and cozy feeling.

🎄 Festive but healthier! 🎄

Herb-Roasted Citrus Salmon

A bright, elegant dish with rosemary, thyme, orange, and lemon. Serve with roasted fennel or asparagus.

(High Protein, Low Cal)

Calories: ~ under around 500 per serving

Salmon fillet baked with lemon, orange, rosemary, and garlic

Serve with steamed or roasted greens (broccoli, asparagus, green beans, cabbage)

Diced potatoes, air fried in a small amount of olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic

Why it works: High protein, healthy fats increase satiety.

Tip: Try to use minimal fats and oils to cook the food in

🥗 Lemon Herb Chicken with Roasted Veggies

Around 280 calories per serving

Ingredients

1 chicken breast (4–5 oz)

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp olive oil

Garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper

1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peppers, parsnip, sprouts, cauliflower, red onion, courgette)

Instructions

Mix lemon, olive oil, garlic, and herbs to marinate chicken.

Bake chicken at 190°C for 20–25 min.

Roast veggies separately with any herbs or spices for 20 min.

Serve together for a fresh, light Christmas meal.

🥬 Holiday Chicken & Cranberry Salad

Around 300 calories

Ingredients

Mixed greens, salad leaves, vegetables cooked and raw

100g cooked chicken breast

1 tbsp dried cranberries

1 tbsp chopped walnuts

1 tbsp feta (optional)

Dressing: 1 tsp olive oil + 1 tsp balsamic vinegar

Instructions

Assemble greens, chicken, cranberries, walnuts.

Drizzle lightly with dressing.

🐟 5. Baked White Fish with Herbs

Around 180–220 calories per fillet

Ingredients

Cod, haddock, seabass

Lemon, dill, salt, pepper

1 tsp olive oil

Instructions

Season fish with herbs + lemon.

Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 min.

Serve with green beans, tender stem broccoli, potato, rice and salad

🍄 3. Mushroom & Lentil Wellington (Vegan)

Ingredients

1 sheet puff pastry (whole-grain if available or lighter filo pastry)

1 cup cooked lentils

2 cups mushrooms, chopped

1 onion, diced

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp thyme

Salt & pepper

1 egg (for egg wash, optional or plant based milk)

Instructions

Sauté onion + garlic in olive oil.

Add mushrooms, lentils, soy sauce, thyme, salt & pepper. Cook 5–7 min.

Roll out puff pastry; place filling in centre.

Fold pastry around filling into a log.

Brush with egg wash (optional).

Bake at 205°C for 25–30 minutes until golden.

🥗 Side Dishes (Healthy but Festive)

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate

Adds crunch + natural sweetness.

Optional balsamic drizzle.

Garlic Mashed Cauliflower or Half-Cauliflower/Half-Potato

Creamy without heavy cream or butter overload.

Honey-Glazed Carrots (Light Version)

Use just a touch of honey or maple syrup.

Add fresh dill or parsley.

Green Beans Almondine

Sautéed lightly in olive oil.

Almonds bring healthy fats + crunch.

Wild Rice Pilaf

Toss with herbs, dried cranberries, pecans.

Warm Winter Salad

Mix roasted sweet potatoes, spinach, goat cheese, and pecans.

🍰 DESSERT

🍏 Baked Cinnamon Apples

Ingredients

4 apples, halved and cored

1 tbsp maple syrup

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup chopped nuts

Optional: a dollop of Greek yogurt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 190°C

Fill apples with nuts, drizzle maple syrup, sprinkle cinnamon.

Bake 25–30 minutes until soft.

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