8 Best Festive Recipes | Healthier Ideas for Christmas

Low-carb, low calorie and gluten free ideas for those of you still following a diet or gluten free lifestyle this festive season.

We all know Christmas is a time for indulgence, but if you’re following a diet or calorie counting, December can be a tricky time to stay on plan with lots of social gatherings, meals out and calorific treats! Not only that, if you’re diabetic or living with Coeliac Disease, you’ll know that enjoying your favourite festive foods often isn’t always that straight-forward, but Lo-Dough is here to help.

Healthy Festive Recipes

We’ve got a selection of classic low calorie Christmas recipes to get you in the festive spirit; all of which are gluten-free and reduced sugar to get you through this festive season. From mini Christmas desserts like low-carb mince pies to gluten-free pigs in blanket sausage rolls, there’s something for everyone to enjoy to make this Christmas delicious and healthy(ish). 

The Lo-Dough range is the easiest way to cut calories and carbs while still making your favourite dishes, so just think, those calories you do save can always be enjoyed as a mulled wine… or two! 

Check out the healthy festive recipes below and make sure you tag us in your best creations, either on Instagram @lodough.co #lodough or on Facebook @Lo-Dough.

Brie, Bacon & Cranberry Gluten Free Pizza

Brie, Bacon & Cranberry Gluten Free Pizza

For a totally indulgent twist on pizza, you've just got to try this class combo of Christmas flavours! We switched out the usual passata for the cranberry sauce and added a sparing amount of mozzarella cheese, before adding slices of brie and cooked bacon. The resulting pizza was an incredible, indulgent festive treat, that doesn't feel like a compromise, in spite of the massively reduced calories and carbs! 

Gluten-Free Pigs In Blankets (In Blankets)

Low-Carb Pigs In Blankets Sausage Rolls

Sausage rolls are dangerously moreish snack and if you are on a low-carb diet, that's gonna be a serious problem. Well fear not, make them with Lo-Dough and all is well! By swapping out pastry for Lo-Dough, you are completely altering the nutritional make up of these Christmas-themed treats. What's not to love!

Low Carb Sausage Meat Stuffing

Low-Carb Sausage Meat Stuffing

This force-meat stuffing is a brilliant way to bulk up the protein component of any roast dinner, while adding serious flavour to your plate. The beauty of a stuffing is it is totally customisable. You can add fruits, herbs and spices to match to the meat you are serving it with and by making it with Lo-dough instead of the usual breadcrumbs, you will ditching the carbs and boosting the fibre content of this awesome accompaniment. 

Ham & Christmas 'Slaw Wrap

Ham & Christmas 'Slaw Wrap

Around Christmas, there is often a lovely bit of ham lying around, crying out to be put in a sandwich. If you are looking to keep the carbs down and beat the bloat, why not make it with Lo-Dough? The real twist here is the seasonal coleslaw made using raw sprouts. When sliced finely enough (a mandolin works best), sprouts are delicious and make a great replacement for the cabbage you would normally find in coleslaw.

Christmas Dessert Recipes

Low-Carb Mince Pie Muffins

Low-Carb Mince Pie Muffins

Using the Lo-Dough Vanilla sponge mix and a a little of your favourite mincemeat (or indeed, your own low-sugar home mincemeat), you need nothing more than a little water to create to most delicious and satisfying festive muffins. 

For the minimal calories and carbs, these Christmassy bites are the most amazing gluten-free treats we could think of. For those living the low-sugar lifestyle, we think these would come in very handy over the Xmas period.

Gluten-Free Apple Strudel

Skinny Apple Strudel

Lo-Dough makes for a great gluten-free alternative to using fat laden pastry and this is where the major savings in terms of calories come from. Team this up with some low-calorie syrup to provide that extra sweetness and you’re onto a winner. Each slice contains only 122 calories, quark cream included. 

Mince Pie Flavoured Christmas Brownies

Mince Pie Flavoured Christmas Brownies

They might be calorie saving, but boy do these taste great. No sooner had we finished baking one batch, we were getting a second tray into the oven! 

The fruit and spices marry beautifully with the rich and indulgent brownie, creating a soft and beautifully moist Christmas mouthful. To keep the carbs, sugar and calories low, you should make your own mincemeat. Follow our quick and super simple recipe for low-sugar mincemeat that still packs the same flavour!

Low-Carb Festive Brownie Cake

Low-Carb Festive Brownie Cake

If you want your Low-Carb and Low-Cal brownies to look just the part this Christmas, there are a few simple ways to up the game visually! First of all - bake in a circular tin if you have one - you can serve the portions as elegant wedges. Next, get some lovely fresh fruits: Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries, pomegranate seeds all work perfectly, but any fruit that you enjoy with chocolate would be just as good.