Looking for Christmas dinner inspiration? Want simple Christmas recipes that are still pretty good for you? These recipes are all gluten free, grain free, and low sugar. Most of them are GAPS compliant, too!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. I do not recommend any products I have not purchased and used myself. Read my full disclosure here.
If you have dietary restrictions, or if you are hosting someone who does, you may be wondering what to make for Christmas dinner, New Year’s, or other holiday feasts. Some of your traditional favorites may still work for you, but you may need a few new Christmas recipes.
Getting into a day-to-day groove with a special diet takes time and effort. Once you have some routines in place, it gets a lot easier. Then special occasions crop up and require a new burst of adaptation!
Christmas and the winter holiday season are an inconvenient time to tackle new recipes. Thankfully, others have done this before, and you don’t really have to reinvent the wheel. Unless you want to…
I have gathered some of my family’s favorite holiday-worthy recipes. They aren’t complicated. We think they taste good, and you can be festive, maintain your dietary plan, and even eat fairly healthfully at the same time. Some can be prepared in advance, too, leaving you a little freer on the big day.
Pin for later!
Health disclaimer The Site offers health and nutritional information and is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Click here for more information.
Christmas Recipes
These recipes are for side dishes, dessert, and breakfast. Chances are, you can still roast a turkey or chicken, bake a ham, or tweak your favorite roast beef recipe to fill in the meat part of your holiday meal. Maybe you can have your traditional meat dish, possibly with some easy substitutions or careful label-reading at the grocery store, or maybe you can pioneer a new meat option.
Then, add potatoes or rice if you want; unless you are on the GAPS diet or a very low carb diet, those will work easily. If potatoes are out, cauliflower “mashed potatoes” (like these) are pretty good. Add plenty of butter, and maybe some gravy… (Find 2 gravy recipes in my FREE e-book.)
Then just add a few sides! This isn’t so hard, after all!
Veggie Sides
Butternut Squash Soup 3 Ways— serve as a first course to get your veg in before the other goodies appear!
Butternut Squash Casserole with Bacon and Cheese— a more decadent way to eat squash, this one goes over pretty well with squash skeptics.
Festive Roasted Brussels Sprouts— so easy, and also very pretty! You might even convert a sprout-hater.
Cranberries (not just for Thanksgiving!)
Cranberry-Raspberry Sauce— with raspberries and pineapple, this is low in sugar and different from the usual Thanksgiving version. The Christmas-y red color and bright flavors will enliven your table!
Low-Sugar Cranberry Sauce— more of a traditional cranberry sauce, this one also has no refined sugar.
Fermented Cranberries— definitely different and providing enzymes and probiotics to help your digestion, plan to make this a few days ahead so the fermentation can take place.
Desserts
Gingerbread— traditional and fragrant, this easy recipe is gluten free, grain free and low in sugar. It isn’t GAPS compliant.
GAPS Gingerbread— but this gingerbread is GAPS friendly!
Chocolate Cinnamon Bread— not very sweet, gluten free, GAPS compliant– this cake-like bread checks a lot of boxes, but only for those who can eat almond flour.
Vanilla Ice Cream— pair with apple crisp or cookies or serve on its own or with coffee– this ice cream is GAPS friendly if you use the fermented dairy options.
Chocolate Ice Cream— make it plain, or try the peppermint or another flavor twist for a festive cold treat!
Gingerbread Apple Pear Crisp— apple desserts are popular, and this one has a seasonal gingerbread flair! Serve with vanilla ice cream.
Cookies
Gingerbread Cookies— though not easily GAPS adaptable, these cookies are gluten free, grain free, nut free and low in sugar. You can substitute for the dairy to make them dairy free.
Cream Cheese Cookies— good plain or with suggested add-ins, these cookies are easily nut free, egg free, gluten free, and grain free. They are sweetened with honey, unless you choose a different option!
Breakfast
Egg Bake— prepare ahead and bake morning-of! You can make this with many different ingredients– like a quiche without the bother– and gluten– of a crust.
Chicken Apple Sausage— simple yet flavorful, these patties fit most special diets, work protein into the festive breakfast, and are a clean sausage-like option.
Turkey Sausage— similar to the chicken apple version, but not apple-y. Prepare the mixture ahead, then fry them up quickly.
Apple Muffins— gluten and grain free, these muffins are tender and not-too-sweet.
Gingerbread Latte— festive and a little more special than plain coffee, this recipe includes suggestions for no sugar, no dairy, etc. No need to make a syrup; this is simplicity.
There you go! Holiday meals are achievable. For more holiday recipes, download my FREE e-book with additional recipes.
Still struggling to adapt to a special diet at Christmas time? You aren’t alone… Check my article with tips about making the festive season merry even with dietary restrictions– it’s not just about the food! You can do this, and thrive, too! Merry Christmas, and a happy, healthy new year!
Leave a Reply