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St. Patrick’s Day is almost here!
Traditionally, this would be the time for sodium-rich corned beef & cabbage, carb-laden colcannon potatoes, artificially dyed green desserts (see a natural alternative here), & multiple pints of beer. And while this is a perfectly fine way to celebrate on occasion, if you are currently trying to tackle some health & fitness goals for summer, or if you are just looking to make some healthier meals for your family, this may not be the ideal choice.
If you are looking for some healthier but still festive alternatives, check out this round-up of delicious St. Patrick’s-themed recipes, so you can still have fun & feel good.
Breakfast
Green Eggs & Ham Mini Frittatas from Thoughts of a Crafty Mom
These mini frittatas are a delicious, high-protein, low-carb choice for breakfast. They are easy to make, & you can use different ingredients to customize them for the flavor you want.
Green Smoothie Bowl from Recipes from a Pantry
This vegan smoothie recipe uses matcha to get the desirable green color. Matcha has a number of health benefits – it’s a rich source of antioxidants, & it can promote good heart, brain & liver health. This smoothie recipe is also free of added sugars; it is sweetened with fruit & date syrup, one of my new favorite, natural sweeteners.
Kale Kefir Pancakes from Tin & Thyme
Sneak some veggies into your breakfast with this Kale Kefir Pancake recipe. If you don’t have kefir, substitute buttermilk (you can make your own by adding 1 tbsp lemon juice or white vinegar to a cup of milk & letting it sit for 5 minutes). These pancakes are gluten-free as well – they use buckwheat flour & oats instead of all-purpose flour. This is a savory pancake recipe, but if you want something a little sweeter, take out the turmeric & add in some honey. Or, embrace the savory component & pair this recipe with salsa & eggs.
Lunch
Creamy Broccoli Soup from Hungry Healthy Happy
This soup is so indulgently creamy, but it’s packed with vegetables, making it a delicious but still nutritious choice for lunch. Enjoy it alone for a light meal, or pair it with a small salad and/or crusty bread for a more filling lunch.
St. Patrick’s Day Bento Box from Little Passports
This bento box is too cute, & it has all the healthy foods you need for a balanced meal, plus a fun little treat. Instead of using cream cheese, spread hummus between the spinach tortillas for a higher-protein choice.
Green St. Patrick’s Day Lunch from Stuffed Suitcase
Pair lots of green foods together for an overwhelmingly Irish-themed meal. Dye a hard boiled egg green, serve it with green tortilla chips & guacamole for dipping, & add in some sliced green vegetables & kiwi for snacking.
Snacks
Shamrock Dippers with a Pot of Gold from Super Healthy Kids
This recipe uses real cheese to make the Pot of Gold dip, making it a much healthier choice than traditional queso from the store. The Shamrock Dippers are made from spinach tortillas, making it a simple but festive choice for chips.
St. Patrick’s Day Snack Board from Eating with Elaine
On most holidays, I find what people struggle most with is getting in enough fruits & vegetables. This snack board is absolutely adorable, & it’s packed with healthy fruits & veggies, so you can make sure you are getting in all your necessary servings for the day.
Avocado Deviled Eggs from Little Family Adventure
Instead of using mayonnaise & green food coloring, this deviled eggs recipe gets its creaminess & festive green color from avocados! It’s a recipe packed with protein & healthy fats.
Dinner
Pot o’ Gold Stuffed Peppers from Super Healthy Kids
The whole family is going to love this fun, festive dish. Yellow bell peppers are stuffed with ground turkey, brown rice, & tomatoes & topped with cheddar cheese to make the most delicious pot of gold you have ever seen!
Rainbow Bell Pepper Pizza from Super Healthy Kids
Rainbows are another theme of St. Patrick’s Day, & eating from the rainbow is another way to stay healthy. This Rainbow Bell Pepper Pizza is covered in vegetables, making it a delicious & nutritious choice for celebrating the holiday.
Easy Spinach Pesto from Super Healthy Kids
This pesto is made from fresh spinach, walnuts, & extra-virgin olive oil, making it a great choice of healthy fats & vegetables. Stir it into your favorite pasta (or zucchini pasta to keep the dish extra festive), add in some ground turkey for protein if you like, & pair it with your favorite crusty bread for a delicious meal.
Desserts
Chocolate Matcha Ice Cream Sandwiches from Nadia’s Healthy Kitchen
Matcha steals the show again in this delicious, raw & vegan ice cream sandwich recipe. The ice cream is made from coconut milk & sweetened with pure maple syrup, & the cookies are made from dates, cashews & cocoa powder, making it a delicious, lower-sugar recipe that everyone is sure to enjoy!
Keto St. Patrick’s Day Sugar Cookies from Veg Annie
If you’re trying to keep your dessert low-carb, try these Keto sugar cookies. They are gluten-free & sweetened with sugar-free maple syrup. The green frosting is made from avocado, monk fruit sweetener, & butter. It’s a delicious, simple recipe that you can have fun making with the kids.
Mint Chocolate Chip Brownies from Bakerita
When I think of green desserts, I think of mint. These Mint Chocolate Chip Brownies are paleo & gluten-free, making them a healthy choice for anyone trying to stay away from processed foods. The layers of brownie, mint cream, & chocolate topping make this treat so indulgent, you won’t even miss the traditional sugar.
I hope you all have a fun & festive St. Patrick’s Day! Remember, if the diet breaks for one day, all progress is not lost. Have fun & get back on track tomorrow.