Holidays are the time of giving; giving gifts, but also giving to your gut. While most of us want to enjoy our time with family and friends, with enjoyment comes indulgence and more times than not some extra pounds we never asked for.

Before you grab your “stretchy” waist forgiving pants, consider that healthy treats aren’t necessarily gross and you can eat good without gaining. In fact, we think these healthy and festive treats may even become holiday traditions.

Take a look at 10 healthy holiday treats that will make you drool below:

Peppermint Fudge No-Bake Energy Bites

Photo: Running in a Skirt

Not only are they easy to make (uh, no baking necessary!), but they’re also packed with festive peppermint AND protein.

Vegan Gingerbread Ice Cream

Photo: Feasting on Fruit

This take on gingerbread sounds delicious and is an ice cream lovers dream – minus the fat since its main ingredient is bananas.

Stove Top Sugar-Free Candied Pecans

Photo: The Big Man’s World

Ready in 10 minutes, this recipe is the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth without overdosing on processed sugars.

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Crunch Balls

Photo: Mom Timeout

If you’re obsessed with Reese, make these! They’re basically a peanut butter cups healthier cousin.

Almond Caramel Clusters

Photo: The First Year

These Almond Caramel Clusters taste like Turtles, but have fewer calories. What’s not to like?!

Sugar-Free Caramelized Nuts

Photo: The Big Man’s World

This Holiday recipe is low carb, gluten-free, dairy-free and paleo. All of these makes it the perfect snack to serve if you’re hosting a group with different diet restrictions.  

Gluten-Free Cutout Sugar Cookies

This gluten-free take on your traditional Christmas sugar cookie is festive and totally delicious. Plus, you get creative freedom with the cookie shapes.

Gluten-Free Dark Chocolate Bark

Photo: Meaningful Eats

Another gluten-free recipe for the win! This dark chocolate bark recipe is the perfect combination of salty and sweet.

Snowday Snack Mix

Photo: Mom Timeout

Rather than buying a premade, festive popcorn mix, take control over the ingredients and make your own. The Snowday Snack mix is sweet, but without going overboard.

No-Bake Vanilla Bean Cranberry Swirl Bars

Replace the heavy and fattening cheese with cashews when you make this no bake recipe. These swirl bars are creamy while remaining dairy-free.

What do you think about these healthy holiday treats?

Featured image: Bakerita

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