-HEART HEALTH TK

December HEALTHY HOLIDAYS

Hot Honey sweetpotato salad

SOCIAL POSTS Celebrate National Cookie Day on December 4th with these “better-for-you” Sweetpotato Cookie Dough Bites ! Perfect for your holiday cookie exchange or simply for satisfying your sweet tooth. Happy Holidays! Add a touch of beauty and flavor to your holiday menu with these Stuffed Sweetpotatoes with Walnuts, Mint & Pomegranate! They’re festive, flavorful, and perfect for bringing some holiday cheer to your table. #HolidayRecipes #Sweetpotatoes #FestiveFlavors #NationalCookieDay #HolidayBaking #ncsweetpotatoes

TALKING POINTS y Looking to bake healthier treats this holiday season? Try these heart-healthy baking swaps and incorporate sweet potatoes for added nutrients: Replace butter with unsweetened applesauce or mashed avocado for added moisture and heart-healthy fats. Swap refined flour with whole wheat flour or almond flour for extra fiber and nutrients. Use natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup instead of refined sugar, and consider adding mashed sweetpotatoes to your recipes for a boost of vitamins, fiber, and natural sweetness. Happy and healthy baking! y During the holidays, you might be tempted to skip meals to save up for those big holiday feasts, but that can backfire and leave you feeling overly hungry. Instead, try this protein-rich Sweetpotato Breakfast Bake ! It’s perfect for meal prep and leftovers, and you can even freeze it for later. Start your day right with a nutritious and satisfying breakfast option. y Navigating holiday social events in a heart-healthy way is key during this festive season. Be mindful of your alcohol intake as drinks can be a sneaky source of added sugar and calories. The CDC recommendations suggest no more than one drink per day for women and two for men. If you choose to indulge, try alternating with water between alcoholic beverages. Focus on enjoying the company and conversation, and savor your favorite treats in moderation. Your heart will thank you! y Keep the holiday spirit alive with a fun active game of “Santa’s Reindeer Relay” ! Divide into teams and set up stations around the house or yard. At each station, participants complete a festive task like “delivering presents” (carrying wrapped boxes) , “decorating the tree” (hanging ornaments) , or “feeding the reindeer” (tossing bean bags into buckets) . It’s a great way to stay moving and bond with loved ones while enjoying holiday festivities!

Ingredients

• 2 lbs sweetpotatoes cut into half moons • 1 Tbsp olive oil • Salt and pepper to taste1 tbsp cinnamon • 1 tsp honey

For Dressing •

2 Tbsp hot honey

• • •

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1 tsp shallots finely diced

Optional Toppings • Feta cheese • Toasted pecans

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 425F. Toss the sweetpotatoes with the olive oil, salt and pepper. 2. Transfer the sweetpotatoes to a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until tender. 3. While the sweetpotatoes are baking, prepare the dressing by whisking all the ingredients together. 4. Once the sweetpotatoes are done baking, transfer them to a dish of your choice and drizzle the dressing over them. Top with feta cheese, and toasted pecans if desired.

NEWSLETTER COPY Happy Holidays! Wishing you and yours a joyous season filled with love and laughter. Instead of focusing on deprivation and the foods you “can’t” eat this holiday season, let’s flip our mentality and focus on adding more “good” to our meals. Think of ways you can add more fruits and vegetables to boost the nutritional quality of your meals. Try incorporating sweetpotatoes into your holiday dishes, like roasted sweet potato wedges as a side, mashed sweetpotatoes topped with pecans, or sweetpotato casserole with a crunchy oat topping. Let’s make this holiday season both delicious and nutritious!

TEACHING TOOLS For ideas on how to incorporate sweetpotates into your fall meals and snacks check out our Teaching Tool: • “Enjoying Thanksgiving with Diabetes.”

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