Saint Patrick's Day, unfortunately and almost stereotypically, can be a day in which added calories are packed onto your diet whether brought on by endless boozy drinks or countless slices of Irish Soda Bread. But in making sure you do not have an upset stomach or just residual guilt, there are actually many healthier alternatives that can be adapted into your Saint Patrick's Day to ensure you can stay on-top of your fitness and diet goals - even if it your cheat day. Swapping out unnecessary fatty or sugary ingredients with more healthier alternatives can make sure you can get the most out of the day. Here are some of our favorite healthy alternatives for Saint Patrick's Day:
Whole Grain Irish Soda Bread with Matcha Yogurt Butter
Serving Size : 14 (One Loaf) | From Cooking Lightly
Gather Together:
- 2 2/3 Cups of White Whole Wheat Flour - About 12 Ounces
- 3/4 Cup of Wheat Bran
- 1/2 Cup Plus 2 Tablespoons of Steel-Cut Oats
- 2 Teaspoons of Baking Soda
- 1 Teaspoon of Baking Powder
- 2 Teaspoons of Brown Sugar
- 3/4 Teaspoon of Kosher Salt
- 1/4 Cup of Wheat Germ
- 2 1/4 Cups of Low-Fat Buttermilk - At Room Temperature
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400° F.
- Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups, level with a knife. Combine flour and next 7 ingredients (through wheat germ) in a large bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Slowly add buttermilk, stirring just until moist. Let sit 15 minutes.
- Spoon batter into a 9 X 5-inch metal loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 5 minutes on a wire rack; remove from pan. Cool on rack. Slather generously with matcha butter.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories : 136
- Fat : 1.4g
- Protein : 6g
- Carbohydrate : 24g
- Fiber : 5g
- Sugars : 3g
- Cholesterol : 2mg
- Iron : 2mg
- Sodium : 353mg
- Calcium : 83mg
Matcha Yogurt Butter Recipes
Gather Together:
- 2 Tablespoons of Salted Butter - Room Temperature
- 2 Tablespoons of 2% Reduced-Fat Greek Yogurt
- 1/2 Teaspoon of Matcha Green Tea Powder
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl; stirring with a whisk until very smooth.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories : 37
- Fat : 3.9g
- Protein : 0g
- Carbohydrate : 0g
- Fiber : 0g
- Sugars : 0g
- Cholesterol : 10mg
- Sodium : 35mg
- Calcium : 4mg
Slow Cooker Beef and Cabbage
Serves - 8 (Serving Size: 3 Ounces of Beef | 1/8 Head of Cabbage | 3/4 Cups of Potatoes and Carrots | 1/4 Cup of Jus) | From Cooking Lightly
Gather Together:
- 1 3/4 Teaspoons of Salt - Divided
- 3/4 Teaspoon of Freshly Ground Black Pepper - Divided
- 2 Tablespoons of Brown Sugar
- 2 Teaspoons of Ground Mustard
- 1 Teaspoon of Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 Teaspoon of Ground Ginger
- 1/4 Teaspoon of Ground Cloves
- 1 (2-pound) Beef Brisket - Trimmed
- 1 Cup of Unsalted Beef Stock
- 3 Tablespoons of Cider Vinegar
- 2 Teaspoons of Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 Medium Onions - Cut Into Wedges
- 4 Garlic Cloves - Crushed
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 1 Head of Savoy Cabbage - Halved
- 2 Pounds Small Red Potatoes - Quartered
- 1 Pound Trimmed Baby Carrots
- 1 Tablespoon of Unsalted Butter - Melted
Directions:
- Combine 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and next 5 ingredients (through cloves) in a small bowl. Rub mixture over all sides of brisket. Place brisket in a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Add stock, cider vinegar, Worcestershire Sauce, onions, garlic cloves, and bay leaves. Arrange cabbage halves over top. Cook on LOW for 8 hours or until beef is very tender. Transfer beef to a cutting board; discard bay leaves.
- Place potatoes and carrots in a large saucepan; add cold water to cover potatoes by 1 inch. Bring to a boil; cook 8 to 10 minutes or until tender. Drain. Toss with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and butter. Cut brisket across the grain into thin slices. Cut each cabbage half into 4 wedges. Serve brisket with onions, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, and jus.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories : 352
- Fat : 10.4g
- Protein : 28g
- Carbohydrate : 37g
- Fiber : 7g
- Cholesterol : 74mg
- Iron : 4mg
- Sodium : 718mg
- Calcium : 102mg
Mini Chicken Pot Pies
Serves 4 - (Makes Four Individual Pot Pies) | From Cooking Lightly
Gather Together:
- 1 Tablespoon of Canola Oil
- 4 Cups of Fresh Mushrooms - Chopped
- 1 1/2 Cups of Yellow Onion - Chopped
- 1/2 Cup of Celery - Chopped
- 1 1/2 Cups of Sweet Potato - Peeled and Chopped Into 1/2-Inch-Cubes
- 2 Teaspoons of Fresh Thyme - Chopped
- 1.5 Ounces of All-Purpose Flour - (About 1/3 Cup)
- 1 1/4 Cups of Unsalted Chicken Stock
- 1/2 Cups of Whole Milk
- 8 Ounces Rotisserie Chicken Breast - Shredded (About 2 Cups)
- 3/4 Cup of Frozen Lima Beans
- 1/2 Teaspoon of Kosher Salt
- 1 Frozen Puff Pastry Sheet - Thawed
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 425 Degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high, then add mushrooms, onion, and celery. Cook vegetables, stirring often, until softened, 7 to 8 minutes. Add sweet potato and thyme, and cook until tender and liquid has evaporated, 6 to 7 minutes.
- Stir in flour to coat. Add stock and milk, bringing to a boil and stirring constantly to combine. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat, and then stir in chicken, lima beans, and salt. Let cool 20 minutes.
- Cut puff pastry into 4 (4 1/4-inch) rounds. Place 4 (10-ounce) ramekins on a baking sheet; fill with chicken mixture. Top with dough rounds; bake at 425°F until golden brown, 17 to 19 minutes.
- Garnish with thyme and then serve warm.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories : 576
- Fat : 25g
- Protein : 33g
- Carbohydrate : 57g
- Fiber : 6g
- Sugars : 9g
- Sodium : 697mg
All-Natural Shamrock Shake
Gather Together:
- 3/4 Cups of Natural Vanilla Ice Cream
- 1 Small Bunch of Mint Leaves - (About 1/2 Cup)
- 1/2 Teaspoon of Mint Extract
- Place ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Garnish or serve with whipped cream or chocolate sauce if desired.
- Calories : 212
- Carbohydrates : 24g
- Protein : 4g
- Fat : 11g
- Saturated Fat : 7g
- Cholesterol : 44mg
- Sodium : 80mg
- Potassium : 197mg
- Fiber : 1g
- Sugar : 21g
If you are considering having a healthy Saint Patrick' Day, consider making these recipes! Then share with us what you made by following us on Instagram @itouchwearables and Facebook @itouchwearables and by dropping a comment and like. Also, be sure to check out our new articles published daily!
-Patrick
