Diabetic Holiday Sides and Salads

Updated: October 11, 2014
Round out your holiday meals with these low-sugar, low-fat, and high-flavor side dishes.
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Broccoli, Cheese, and Rice Casserole

Photo: Randy Mayor
Broccoli, Cheese, and Rice Casserole Recipe
Broccoli casserole is always a popular menu items for holiday meals. This one is slightly high in sodium because of the cheese and the canned cream of mushroom soup, so if you need to cut back on sodium even more, use a low-sodium soup.
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Brussels Sprouts with Browned Garlic

Becky Luigart-Stayner
Brussels Sprouts with Browned Garlic Recipe
Mellow browned garlic and a splash of lemon juice add a punch of low-fat flavor to tender Brussels sprouts.

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Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Photo: Dana Gallagher
Mashed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Just a tiny bit of honey and a sprinkle of nutmeg adds subtle sweetness to these mashed sweet potatoes.
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Smashed Potatoes with Goat Cheese and Chives

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr, Jan Gautro, Leigh Ann Ross
Smashed Potatoes with Goat Cheese and Chives Recipe
Get the same creaminess–and a lot more flavor–when you blend goat cheese instead of cream cheese into your potatoes.

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Rosemary Green Beans

Rosemary Green Beans Recipe
Perk up fresh green beans with rosemary, green onions, and grated lemon rind, and add crunch by topping with toasted pecans. All of these simple flavors come together perfectly to make an ideal side dish for turkey, beef, or pork.

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Fruited Acorn Squash

Oxmoor House
Fruited Acorn Squash Recipe
Fill the center of a halved squash with a slightly sweetened mixture of raisins and dried cranberries for an impressive side dish that’s not only delicious but also packed with nutrients.
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Cheesy Squash Casserole

Photo: Oxmoor House
Cheesy Squash Casserole Recipe
If a cheesy squash casserole is a tradition on your holiday table, this low-fat version won't disappoint. Cook yellow squash and onions together, combine with a low-fat white sauce, then top with reduced-fat cheese and fresh breadcrumbs.

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Roasted New Potatoes

Photo: Oxmoor House
Roasted New Potatoes Recipe
Sometimes the simplest sides are the best. Toss quartered potatoes with seasoned breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese, then roast until the potatoes are done and the breadcrumb-cheese coating is golden-brown and crispy.

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Curry-Spiced Sweet Potatoes

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross
Curry-Spiced Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Instead of a sugary-sweet, high-fat sweet potato casserole, try these mashed sweet potatoes flavored with curry, cinnamon, cumin and just a tablespoon of brown sugar. A small amount of half-and-half makes them creamy, but they still have only 3.7 grams of fat per serving.
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Pecan White and Brown Rice Pilaf

Photo: Jan Smith
Pecan White and Brown Rice Pilaf Recipe
This high-fiber pilaf feature white and brown rice plus bulgur. Dried cranberries add a touch of festive color and sweetness while toasted pecans add a nutty flavor to the blend of grains.

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Holiday Cranberry Salad

Photo: Oxmoor House
Holiday Cranberry Salad Recipe
Congealed fruit salads are a staple on many holiday tables, and this low-sugar version is dressed up with fresh cranberries, crisp celery, and tart Granny Smith apple.

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Honey Grapefruit with Banana

Photo: Oxmoor House
Honey Grapefruit with Banana Recipe
This 5-minute fruit side dish makes a sweet accompaniment for a hearty holiday brunch. Chopped fresh mint is the magic ingredient that adds a refreshing note to the banana and grapefruit.
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Field Salad with Pears and Blue Cheese

Photo: Oxmoor House
Field Salad with Pears and Blue Cheese Recipe
Make the most of in-season fresh pears by using them in a green salad tossed with raspberry vinaigrette and topped with crunchy walnuts.

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Broccoli and Apple Salad

Howard L. Puckett
Broccoli and Apple Salad Recipe
Crisp chopped apple adds sweetness to this crisp red and green salad, with apple cider vinegar and Dijon mustard adding tanginess. This is a great salad for the fall holidays because both apples and broccoli are in season. For a creamy version of this salad, try Broccoli Salad featuring grapes, raisins, light mayonnaise, and crisp bacon.

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Autumn Apple and Spinach Salad

Becky Luigart-Stayner; Cindy Barr
Autumn Apple and Spinach Salad Recipe
Combine tart apples with spinach and toss with a tangy citrus vinaigrette for a versatile salad that’s a good match for any main dish.
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