This Red Velvet Hot Chocolate is the perfect example of how you can enjoy your holiday favourites without falling off the healthy bandwagon. If you’re going to indulge why not indulge healthfully?

Red Velvet Hot Chocolate for a healthier holiday

If you’re trying to clean up your diet and embrace a healthy lifestyle the holidays can be challenging. Food is the name of the game this time of year and to be quite honest –  there is no reason you shouldn’t enjoy your favourite holiday meals and treats.

With a few tweaks you can adapt just about any recipe so they fall in line with your health goals. 

What is it about Hot Chocolate…

Hot chocolate is probably the most popular holiday drink. And for good reason. Hot chocolate is rich, decadent and brings with it a feeling of warmth and coziness that we crave during the holidays.

How to make a healthy (hormone balancing) Red Velvet Hot Chocolate

Equipement Needed

• A blender for making your hot chocolate indulgently frothy
• A small saucepan for warming the milk on the stove
• Your favourite mug for serving

Ingredients Needed

• Milk: Use your favourite milk but I particularly love the richness that coconut milk brings to this recipe
• Hot chocolate mix: My simple 3 ingredient homemade hot chocolate mix (raw cocoa powder, coconut sugar & pink himalayan salt) can be whipped up in minutes and then you’ll have it ready for enjoying hot chocolates all season long.
• Beetroot: Beetroot is what gives this Red Velvet Hot Chocolate it’s gorgeous red color, NOT food coloring. I’ve used beetroot powder for this recipe but Acai powder also works in a pinch.
• Hormone helpers: To boost the nutrition profile of this already healthier hot chocolate I love adding superfoods like collagen peptides, mushroom powder and MCT oil which are amazing for supporting blood sugar levels and supporting our lady hormones. But please don’t stress if you don’t have / can’t find these as the hot chocolate is just as tasty without them.

How to make this Red Velvet Hot Chocolate with beetroot not the powder

This hot chocolate actually came about one day when I added cocoa to my Beet Latte . So if you wish to use a whole cooked beet follow the recipe for my Beet Latte and simply add cocoa to it.

Top 5 Nutrition Coach tips for surviving the holidays

The holiday season tends to be a little more stressful, action-packed and tiring than the rest of the year, so to help make this holiday season fit and festive I’ve rounded up my best tips.

1. Don’t go to holiday events hungry. Snacking on nuts, raw vegetables or a salad before you leave will help you from overfilling your plate.
2. If you’re at a buffet, scope out your options before filling your plate. Enjoy only your favorites instead of piling on every delicious looking treat. Be mindful of your goal at all times and think about how the future you will feel if you over indulge.
3. Make sure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day. Staying hydrated will help combat stress and boost your immune system. 
4. Make sure you are starting your day with a healthy, hearty breakfast. Fueling yourself with healthy foods will keep your energy levels stable throughout the day and keep the cravings at bay.
5. Put your fork down in between bites and savor your food. Thoroughly chewing each bite helps your digestion.  Not to mention, it’s much more pleasant experience when you eat mindfully. 

At the end of it all, don’t be afraid to enjoy a treat and don’t attach guilt to foods. The ‘all or nothing’ mindset has no place in a healthy lifestyle.

Make healthy choices, eat real food and don’t beat yourself up over a slice of cake.

So tell me, what’s your favourite holiday treat? You know the one you look forward to having all year…