Diabetic Holiday Sides and Salads

Updated November 05, 2008
Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Cindy Barr

Round out your holiday meals with these low-sugar, low-fat, and high-flavor side dishes.

Start Slideshow

1 of 15

Broccoli, Cheese, and Rice Casserole

Credit: 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.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 15

Brussels Sprouts with Browned Garlic

Credit: 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.

3 of 15

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Credit: 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.

Advertisement

4 of 15

Smashed Potatoes with Goat Cheese and Chives

Credit: 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.

5 of 15

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.

6 of 15

Fruited Acorn Squash

Credit: 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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 15

Cheesy Squash Casserole

Credit: 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.

8 of 15

Roasted New Potatoes

Credit: 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.

9 of 15

Curry-Spiced Sweet Potatoes

Credit: 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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 15

Pecan White and Brown Rice Pilaf

Credit: 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.

11 of 15

Holiday Cranberry Salad

Credit: 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.

12 of 15

Honey Grapefruit with Banana

Credit: 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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 15

Field Salad with Pears and Blue Cheese

Credit: 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.

14 of 15

Broccoli and Apple Salad

Credit: 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.

15 of 15

Autumn Apple and Spinach Salad

Credit: 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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next