10 Nutritional Side Recipes Under 250 Calories

The holidays are just around the corner and if you’re like us your meal-prep wheels are spinning! This year we’ve put together a list of delish side dishes featuring trendy vegetables (here’s looking at you, kale) and old time favorites.  Our list of sides is guaranteed to be proper holiday sidekicks for these tasty main entrees that we shared yesterday. To help you realize a weight neutral holiday we’ve picked sides hovering around 200 calories or less. Give ‘em a spin and tell us what your tongue thinks!

VEGETABLES

Apple & Quinoa Kale Salad | The Wheatless Kitchen 
Crisp, refreshing apple meshes with quinoa and kale in this equal parts sweet and earthy salad. Add some crunch with chopped walnuts, pecans or almonds and you’ve got a texture savvy side dish. The recipe makes 6 side salads but can double as an entree for vegetarians or vegans if you up the serving size.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 191; Total Fat: 13g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 8g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 141mg; Total Carbohydrate: 16g; Dietary Fiber: 3g; Sugars: 6g; Protein: 4g

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Vinegar | White on Rice
Reach for this recipe if you’re looking for simple and speedy: just toss, roast and serve. Roasted brussels sprouts with balsamic vinegar is made with just five ingredients (that’s if you count salt and pepper!) and makes a great tangy side. Recipe makes 6 servings at 1 cup each.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 110; Total Fat: 7g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Monounsaturated Fat: 5g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 404mg; Total Carbohydrate: 11g; Dietary Fiber: 4g; Sugars: 3g; Protein: 4g

Fresh Green Bean Casserole | Elle Penner, MyFitnessPal Registered Dietitian
For many green bean casserole is a holiday staple but traditional recipes sometimes call for sodium-socked canned green beans and condensed soup. That’s why you need to try fresh green bean casserole re-made by Elle, our registered dietitian. It features homemade cream of mushroom soup and snappy, fresh green beans! The recipe makes 8 servings of about 1 cup each.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 139; Total Fat: 6g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 3mg; Sodium: 244mg; Total Carbohydrate: 17g; Dietary Fiber: 4g; Sugars:3 g; Protein: 7g

Maple Glazed Carrots | Clean Eating
Looking for an inexpensive side that high in fiber and flavor? Check out maple-glazed carrots featuring sweet, tender carrots lightly kissed by maple syrup and butter. This recipe serves 10 at 1/2 cup serving each, and pairs well with turkey or brisket.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 84; Total Fat: 4g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Monounsaturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 3mg; Sodium: 166mg; Total Carbohydrate: 12g; Dietary Fiber: 3g; Sugars: 7g; Protein: 1g

Oven-Fried Okra | Love & Zest
Ready for a crispy fix? You had me at oven-fried okra. This recipe turns a traditionally deep-fried treat into a healthy side you can gladly indulge on. Thick cut okra is baked in a crispy coating of egg and whole wheat breadcrumbs for added protein and fiber. Makes 4 servings of 1 cup each.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 84; Total Fat: 2g; Saturated Fat: 0g; Monounsaturated Fat: 0g ; Cholesterol: 46mg; Sodium: 72mg; Total Carbohydrates: 14g; Dietary Fiber: 4g; Sugars: 1g; Protein: 5g

POTATOES & STARCHES

Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes with Dill | Clean Eating
Enhance your mashed potato experience this year with some healthy additions. Cauliflower, dill and whole milk plain yogurt combines for a creamy mashed potato without using any butter. Each recipe makes 10 servings at 1/2 cup each.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 88; Total Fat: 1g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 3mg; Sodium: 120mg; Total Carbohydrate: 18g; Dietary Fiber: 2g; Sugars: 3g; Protein 3g

Herb & Cheese Drop Biscuits | Oh She Glows
This herb & cheese drop biscuit recipe is vegan friendly (yes, it’s possible)! Each morsel is flavored by thyme and parsley, and is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. If you prefer non-vegan you can add butter instead of coconut oil and cheddar cheese instead of vegan cheese. Makes 8 to 10 biscuits.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 169; Total Fat: 9g; Saturated Fat: 7g; Monounsaturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 337mg; Total Carbohydrate: 21g; Dietary Fiber: 2g; Sugars: 1g; Protein 3g

Wild Rice with Roasted Chestnuts & Cranberries | Cooking Light
Wild rice is fancifully studded with roasted chestnuts and cranberries. This side has a nutty, almost smoky flavor, and the color of the wild rice pairs beautifully with game birds and other poultry (hint, hint: your turkey). Makes 12 servings at 3/4 cup each.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 218; Total Fat: 3g; Saturated Fat: 0g; Monounsaturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 4mg; Sodium: 168mg; Total Carbohydrate: 45g; Dietary Fiber: 5g; Sugars: 11g; Protein 6g

Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese | According to Elle
Mac & cheese, a wildly popular for little picky eaters, is also a great place to hide some veggies! Butternut squash mac & cheese delivers cheesy goodness with a helping of butternut squash that’s filled with fiber and important vitamin A. Makes 16 servings at 3/4 cup each. This can double as an entree for vegetarians if you increase the serving size, and stud it with more veggies (we suggest adding broccoli)!

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 214 ; Total Fat: 7g; Saturated Fat: 4g; Monounsaturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 22mg; Sodium: 394mg; Carbohydrate: 26g; Dietary Fiber: 2g; Sugar: 3g; Protein 10g

Slow Cooked Garlic Sweet Potato Mash | Skinnytaste
That moment when you’re frantically cooking the holiday meal and you run out of pots! Thank goodness for this slow cooked sweet potato side which allows you to spend your time and energy on an elaborate main entree. Don’t take it for granted though; this sweet potato recipe is light and garlicky good! Makes 5 servings at 3/4 cup each.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 145; Total Fat: 3g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 9mg; Sodium: 103mg; Total Carbohydrate: 29g; Dietary Fiber: 3g; Sugars: 7g; Protein 3g