Festivities Archives - The Paleo Network

Posts

Paleo christmas menu plan dinner lunch primal diet-min

Your Paleo Christmas Menu Plan

What are you cooking this Christmas? Are you going with a traditional menu, or perhaps you're serving up something completely alternative?

It can be hard to stick to your good Paleo intentions over Christmas – particularly if you’re having to cater for lots of relatives, who perhaps don’t follow a healthy lifestyle like you do.

Traditional Christmas recipes are often full of the dangerous white stuff – sugar. How can you take the sugar out of the equation, without taking the fun away too?

Sarah Wilson has got a great festive ebook, to go along with her “I Quit Sugar” series. The “I Quit Sugar Christmas Meal Plan” contains three entire, step by step, Christmas meal plans that you can follow, or mix and match. There is a big buffet menu, a sugar free version of the traditional Christmas menu – as well as a summer barbeque menu for those of us celebrating from the Southern Hemisphere. The meal plans are organised to be made in advance, leaving the big day itself a lot less stressful!

The book also features a leftovers menu (we know we all end up with enough food to last the rest of the year!), homemade sugar free gifts (much better than buying gifts), cheat dishes, fermented recipes (great for your gut health) and bonus recipes from other bloggers (including Gwyneth Paltrow).

If you want to check out the Christmas Meal Plan ebook, you can find it here.

What are your menu plans this Christmas? I’d love to hear what you’re organising, so please share in the comments below!

Planning a Paleo-Friendly Christmas Feast

Whether you're keeping things simple or going all out with a multi-course banquet, there are plenty of ways to keep your Christmas meal delicious and nourishing without straying from your Paleo goals. With just a little forward planning and creativity, you can create a festive menu that celebrates the season without leaving you feeling bloated or sluggish.

Entrées and Starters

Instead of the usual bread-heavy platters or sugary nibbles, why not begin with light, fresh appetisers that complement the main event? Think:

Prawns with garlic and lime: A classic Australian Christmas starter, grilled prawns tossed in garlic, lime juice, and olive oil always impress.
Stuffed mushrooms: Fill button mushrooms with a mix of almond meal, herbs, and chopped veggies for a satisfying bite.
Prosciutto-wrapped asparagus: These are quick to assemble, look elegant on a platter, and pair beautifully with a glass of sparkling mineral water with lime.

The Main Event

For the main course, there’s no need to rely on sugar-laden glazes or breadcrumb-heavy stuffing. A perfectly cooked piece of meat, paired with seasonal veggies, can be a showstopper. Some Paleo-friendly main dish ideas include:

Herb-crusted lamb shoulder: Rubbed with rosemary, garlic, and olive oil and slow roasted until tender.
Stuffed turkey breast: Rolled with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and pine nuts for a festive, nutrient-dense twist.
Grilled salmon with a macadamia crust: A nod to summer with heart-healthy fats and vibrant flavours.

Side Dishes to Shine

Forget soggy bread stuffing and syrupy sweet potato casseroles. Fresh, seasonal produce can more than hold its own on the Christmas table:

Roasted vegetables: A mix of carrots, parsnips, pumpkin, and Brussels sprouts tossed in coconut oil and herbs makes a colourful side.
Cauliflower mash: A silky smooth alternative to mashed potatoes, especially with garlic and ghee.
Grain-free stuffing: Use a base of almond meal, celery, onions, and herbs, baked in a dish or inside your roast.

Don’t Forget the Sauce

What’s Christmas without gravy? Skip the flour-based roux and thicken your gravy naturally using a reduction method or arrowroot flour. Cranberry sauce can also be made Paleo by using fresh cranberries, orange zest, and a touch of raw honey or stevia instead of sugar. These little adjustments can make a big difference without sacrificing flavour.

Delightful Desserts Without the Guilt

This is where things can get tricky — traditional Christmas desserts are often loaded with processed sugar, flour, and dairy. Fortunately, Paleo dessert options are just as festive and indulgent, minus the crash:

Paleo Christmas pudding: Made with almond meal, dates, eggs, and plenty of spices for that unmistakable holiday flavour.
Chocolate avocado mousse: A decadent but nourishing dessert topped with berries and coconut cream.
Coconut flour shortbread: Perfect with a post-lunch tea or coffee alternative.

Drinks That Keep You on Track

It’s easy to overdo it with drinks at Christmas — but many festive beverages are full of hidden sugars and additives. If you’re looking to keep things Paleo, try offering:

Infused sparkling water: Think combinations like cucumber and mint or lime and basil.
Kombucha: A great gut-friendly alternative that still feels celebratory.
Paleo eggnog: Made with coconut milk, egg yolks, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a splash of vanilla.

If you do choose to indulge in alcohol, opt for dry red wine or clear spirits with soda and fresh citrus — and alternate each drink with a glass of water to stay hydrated.

Festive Food Prep Tips

To reduce stress on the day and avoid falling into convenience traps, consider these simple ideas:

Prep in stages: Chop veggies and make sauces the day before.
Double your recipes: That way, you’ll have enough leftovers to avoid cooking for a few days afterwards.
Delegate: If you’re hosting, assign family members or guests dishes to bring — just give them a Paleo-friendly brief.

Making Peace with Holiday Eating

Remember, one of the joys of Christmas is connection and celebration. If you end up having a few non-Paleo bites, don't beat yourself up. Mindful indulgence is very different from mindless binging. Focus on the company, the conversation, and the experience — not just the food. The key is to make intentional choices rather than reacting out of habit or pressure.

Gifting the Paleo Way

If you're exchanging gifts this year, why not share your healthy lifestyle with those you love? Some ideas include:

Jars of homemade spice rubs or dukkah
Paleo cookies in festive packaging
DIY bath salts or natural beauty products
Beautifully wrapped raw chocolate truffles

These gifts are thoughtful, personal, and far healthier than mass-produced options from the shops.

Enjoy a Joyful, Nourishing Christmas

At the end of the day, Christmas is about celebration, gratitude, and time with loved ones. By planning ahead, preparing wholesome alternatives, and staying connected to your intentions, you can enjoy a festive season that feels just as joyful — without the food coma or post-holiday regret. Wishing you a beautiful and nourishing Christmas!

What’s on your Paleo Christmas menu this year? Share your ideas and inspiration below — I’d love to hear how you're making the season delicious and healthy.

The paleo guide to Christmas dinner lunch meal plan recipe diet-min

The Ultimate Paleo Guide to Christmas Dinner

So on the face of it you might be thinking Paleo and Christmas don’t go together. Perhaps you need to have a week or two “off” your Paleo diet until the festivities are over? Not so fast! Your Christmas Dinner might just be a lot more Paleo than you realised!

Turkey

Turkey is a fantastic Paleo meat! Make sure your turkey is from a good source and fully pastured (you might need to order this in advance to ensure you get a good one!) and you’ll have a great high protein, low carb meat to base your lunch around.

Gravy

Use the meat juices to make a beautifully Paleo gravy. Once you’ve made a proper gravy, you’ll wonder how you used to eat instant gravy mixes!

Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry sauce and turkey is an amazing combination – and of course cranberries are Paleo – just make your own sauce instead of buying a sugar laden version, perfect for Christmas dinner

Paleo Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Ingredients:

750ml (3 cups) of cranberries
Juice of two oranges
1 tsp orange zest, finely grated
1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
½ teaspoon cinnamon

Paleo Cranberry Sauce How To:

Boil the orange juice and add the cranberries. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 5 – 10 minutes until the berries have all burst and released their flavour. Remove from the heat and add the cinnamon and zest. Stir and allow to cool before refrigerating. Will keep for a few days in the fridge.

Potatoes

Potatoes are off the menu – but all is not lost! Just replace them with sweet potatoes which are perhaps even more delicious.

Brussels Sprouts

Sprouts are a perfect green, so pile them up high! If you’re not so keen on the taste try cooking them up with a bit of ginger for a great taste.

Christmas Pudding

Traditional Christmas puddings are often very wheat and sugar based – but who says you have to be traditional? How about chocolate avocado mousse for afters?

Creating the Ultimate Paleo Christmas Experience

While it might take a little extra planning, a truly delicious and satisfying Christmas meal that’s entirely Paleo-friendly is absolutely within reach. From festive drinks and snacks to innovative side dishes and decadent desserts, there are endless ways to celebrate the season without breaking from your healthy lifestyle.

Festive Starters to Kick Off the Meal

It’s easy to get stuck on the mains, but a good starter sets the tone for the whole feast. Impress your guests and satisfy your hunger with options like:

Prawn skewers with lime and coriander: A refreshing seafood starter perfect for an Aussie summer Christmas.
Devilled eggs with avocado and paprika: A creamy and satisfying bite with festive flair.
Charcuterie board: Use nitrate-free cured meats, olives, cherry tomatoes, cucumber spears, and raw nuts to build a Paleo-friendly grazing platter.

Christmas Vegetables – The Paleo Way

Skip the marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes and grain-laden stuffings. This year, focus on whole, seasonal vegetables prepared in ways that enhance their natural flavour. Try:

Maple-roasted carrots and parsnips: Tossed in coconut oil and a drizzle of 100% pure maple syrup, these are a sweet and savoury hit.
Cauliflower gratin: Replace traditional cheese sauce with one made from cashews, nutritional yeast, and almond milk for a creamy bake.
Roasted beetroot with thyme: Earthy, vibrant, and packed with nutrients, beets bring colour and flavour to the table.

Fresh Summer Salads for the Southern Hemisphere

For those of us celebrating Christmas under the sun, a crisp salad is the perfect addition to a warm weather meal. Some ideas include:

Watermelon, cucumber and mint salad: Light, hydrating and festive in colour.
Roasted pumpkin and spinach salad: Add toasted pepitas and a lemon-tahini dressing for extra zing.
Shaved fennel and apple slaw: Crunchy, sweet and ideal for cutting through the richness of roast meats.

Paleo-Friendly Stuffing Alternatives

Traditional stuffing is a no-go on Paleo, but you can still recreate the flavours you love with a few simple swaps. Use a mix of ground nuts, vegetables, and herbs for a nutrient-rich alternative. One easy combo:

1 cup almond meal
1 celery stalk, finely chopped
1 small red onion, diced
1 egg (to bind)
Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary and parsley

Mix, stuff into your turkey or bake separately for a crisp top and soft centre.

Celebratory Drinks That Stay on Track

Let’s face it — drinks are often where a lot of hidden sugar creeps in. This Christmas, swap sugar-laden punch and soft drinks for refreshing, low-sugar options like:

Kombucha cocktails: Mix plain kombucha with lime juice and a sprig of rosemary for a grown-up mocktail. Add vodka if you’re including alcohol.
Infused waters: Think strawberries and basil, or cucumber with lemon and mint.
Iced herbal teas: Brew rooibos or hibiscus tea, chill, and serve over ice with citrus slices.

Decadent Paleo Desserts for a Sweet Finish

Just because you’re skipping sugar and grains doesn’t mean dessert has to be dull. A few indulgent options:

Paleo pavlova: Made with whipped coconut cream and topped with fresh summer berries. You can find variations that use coconut sugar or monk fruit as a sweetener.
Spiced poached pears: Cook pears in a blend of orange juice, cloves, cinnamon and star anise for a warm and elegant dish.
Chocolate coconut truffles: Blitz dates, cacao powder, and shredded coconut in a food processor, roll into balls and refrigerate.

Gifting With a Healthy Twist

Food-based gifts can still be Paleo! Surprise friends and family with treats like:

Jars of homemade almond butter spiced with cinnamon
Sun-dried tomato and olive tapenade
Raw energy balls in festive wrapping

These thoughtful gifts support your healthy values and show others how delicious clean eating can be.

Mindful Eating During the Festive Season

It’s not just what you eat that matters, but how you eat it. Slowing down, chewing thoroughly, and staying present during meals can help you enjoy your food more and avoid overeating. Remember to listen to your hunger cues and take breaks between servings.

Leftovers That Last

One of the perks of hosting is having leftovers. Instead of letting them go to waste, plan creative meals like:

Turkey lettuce wraps: Add avocado, shredded veggies, and a squeeze of lime.
Sweet potato hash: Combine leftover roasted veg with eggs for a Boxing Day brunch.
Bone broth: Use your turkey carcass to make a healing, collagen-rich broth for soups and sauces.

Celebrate the Season, Your Way

Ultimately, your Christmas doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. If you love a fully traditional spread, tweak it to be Paleo-compliant. If you prefer something fresh and modern, build a menu from scratch. What matters most is how the food makes you feel — energised, nourished, and joyful.

How are you making your Christmas meal Paleo this year? Whether you’ve got a creative twist on a classic or a brand new favourite to share, I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below!

How To Recover From An Un Paleo Christmas

8 Comments

How's your Paleo diet going this Christmas?

Did you keep it Paleo, or did all the SAD traditional food get the better of you this Christmas?

No matter what your intentions or plans, at this time of year it can be easy to get swept along with family and friends – and find yourself eating all the foods you'd normally avoid. Be it tradition, peer pressure or a one off – at this time of year above all others – it's easy to fall off the Paleo wagon.

So what now if your Paleo diet has gone by the wayside?

How does it make you feel? Chances are a rare gluten exposure will make you feel far worse than it would have before you went gluten-free. Once you get gluten out of your system, a one off exposure often seems to have a far bigger impact that it did when you regularly ate gluten-laced food. If you're used to a relatively low carb diet a sudden influx of sugar can leave you feeling moody, tired and lacking in energy – and above all crave another sugar hit. A vicious circle you don't want to get into!

Perhaps you're thinking that as you've been eating un-Paleo, you might as well continue until the weekend? Or New Year? Or until those cakes and chocolates the neighbours brought have finished?

But the best course of action is to get straight back onto your Paleo diet. If you can't bear to throw away the remaining non-Paleo food – give it away to your non-Paleo friends or neighbours! Remove the temptation.

Bone broths are a great nourishing way to get back into a good dietary routine – particularly if you've had a bad reaction to a gluten exposure.

How was your Christmas? Did you keep it Paleo? I'd love to hear your comments below.

Get Back on Track with a Post-Christmas Reset

If your Christmas ended up being a little too merry in the food department, don’t panic. One of the most empowering things about living a Paleo lifestyle is that it’s never about perfection — it’s about intention and consistency over time. Slipping up doesn’t mean failure, and the faster you recommit to nourishing your body, the better you’ll feel.

A great way to begin is with a simple 3 to 5-day Paleo reset. Focus on real, whole foods with minimal ingredients. Prioritise quality protein like grass-fed beef, pastured eggs, and wild-caught fish. Add plenty of non-starchy vegetables, and hydrate generously. By getting back to the basics, you’ll reset your blood sugar, reduce cravings, and begin to feel like yourself again far quicker than you might think.

Support Digestion After Overindulgence

Digestive discomfort is one of the most common side effects of holiday eating, especially if your body is no longer used to grains, seed oils or processed sugar. Fortunately, you can ease back into digestive balance naturally. Begin with light, easily digestible meals like broths, soups, steamed veggies, and simple proteins. Avoid raw vegetables for a few days if your gut feels off — cooked food is generally gentler on the system post-exposure.

You can also support your digestion by sipping ginger or peppermint tea between meals. Apple cider vinegar in warm water before eating can help stimulate digestive enzymes. And of course, fermented foods like sauerkraut and coconut kefir can help restore gut bacteria thrown off by a few days of indulgence.

Rein in the Sugar Cravings

If the Christmas sweets left you with a serious sugar hangover, you’re not alone. Sugar is highly addictive, and even a couple of festive days can lead to intense cravings. The key here is to break the cycle quickly. Don’t try to ‘wean off’ sugar — it only prolongs the dependence. Instead, go cold turkey and focus on eating high-protein, high-fat meals to stabilise blood sugar.

Cravings are also often a sign of dehydration or mineral deficiency. Add a pinch of sea salt to your water, increase your intake of leafy greens, and ensure you’re eating enough magnesium-rich foods like pumpkin seeds and spinach. Within just a few days of consistent, real food, the cravings will fade.

Move Your Body to Recharge

If Christmas left you feeling sluggish, bloated or foggy, gentle movement can help shift things along. You don’t need to hit the gym or go full CrossFit — walking, stretching or a light yoga session can be just as effective at getting your energy and mood back on track.

Try to get outside each day, even for a short walk. Exposure to natural light will help rebalance your circadian rhythm, particularly if your sleep took a hit over the holidays. A short burst of sunlight first thing in the morning can work wonders for both energy and digestion.

Focus on Your Next Meal

It’s easy to catastrophise after a festive blowout, but the truth is: it’s just one (or a few) meals. You don’t need to “start on Monday” or wait for the New Year to make better choices. The best time to get back to Paleo is at your next meal. Don’t dwell on the pavlova or the stuffing — just make your next plate a good one.

Even something as simple as scrambled eggs with avocado, or a chicken soup with leftover veg, is enough to hit the reset button. Keep it simple and focus on momentum rather than perfection.

Reconnect With Why You Started

When you first began eating Paleo, chances are you noticed better energy, clearer skin, fewer cravings, and improved sleep. Recalling how you felt before Paleo — and how much progress you’ve made — can reignite your motivation.

Write down your reasons for going Paleo in the first place and keep them visible. Whether it was for autoimmune relief, weight management, mental clarity, or just feeling stronger — these reasons still matter. A few festive meals don’t undo your progress, but remembering your ‘why’ helps you get back on course with purpose, not guilt.

Plan for Next Year Now

Let’s face it — Christmas and New Year aren’t going anywhere. So why not make a plan for next year while the experience is still fresh? If certain events or situations made it hard to stay Paleo, take note. Could you bring your own dish? Suggest a picnic instead of a formal lunch? Politely decline that tray of Ferrero Rocher next time?

Set yourself up for success by preparing strategies in advance. That might mean freezing a few Paleo-friendly treats ahead of time or creating new festive food traditions that align with your values. The more you prepare, the easier it becomes to stay true to your goals while still enjoying the season.

Your Post-Holiday Paleo Checklist

✔ Clear the house of leftover non-Paleo foods
✔ Plan your meals for the next 3 days
✔ Start your day with protein and healthy fats
✔ Drink at least 2 litres of water daily
✔ Incorporate some movement, even gentle walking
✔ Get outside and prioritise sleep
✔ Focus on nourishment, not punishment

Ultimately, remember that Paleo is a lifestyle, not a diet. It’s not about being 100% perfect all the time — it’s about making choices that serve your health, most of the time. The holiday season is meant to be enjoyed, and if that meant eating a few things off-plan, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Just pick yourself up, refocus, and get back to eating and living in a way that makes you feel amazing.

Tag Archive for: Festivities