Food

10 healthy recipes to enjoy this festive season

Trying to be healthy during the festive season can be tough. We’ve rounded up 10 of our most delicious summer recipes for you to make it easier.

Written by Editor Medibank

12 December 2023 •4 min read

The festive season pretty much revolves around overindulgence. Whether you’ve been on the champagne train or filling your boots at yet another lunch, it’s easy to end your summer break feeling tired and sluggish.

If you’re looking for a way to eat, drink and be merry without feeling rubbish at the end of it, read on for delicious, healthy recipes.

Scrumptious starters

Party food isn’t renowned for being healthy, but swapping in some lighter alternatives will leave you and your guests feeling better at the end of the night.

Zesty lemon grilled calamari with garlic recipe

Deliciously fresh and light, perfect for festive feasts.

Crispy fish tacos with pineapple slaw and chipotle cream

You can make this dish gluten-free, vegetarian or even vegan with some simple swaps!

Asparagus, leek and pea tart recipe

Asparagus, leek and pea tart is a delicious and easy dish for festive lunches and dinners.

A plate of cauliflower tacos with creamy avocado slices and crisp purple cabbage on blue corn tortillas, accented with halved cherry tomatoes and a lime wedge, alongside a bowl of chipotle cream.

Add some colour to your festive menu

Salad can be so much more than leaves upon leaves. Get creative in the kitchen with these nourishing, colourful sides.

Vietnamese salad recipe

A healthy side to any dish, bursting with flavour.

Watermelon, pomegranate and olive salad recipe

A simple and refreshing salad that will soon become your summer favourite.

A vibrant Vietnamese salad with shredded carrots, bean sprouts, fried onions, and herbs in a white bowl with chopsticks, ready to be enjoyed.

Light and bright mains

Being healthy over the festive season doesn’t mean compromising on taste. These delightful summer dishes are packed full of flavour and texture:

Satay salmon with crunchy cucumber and herb salad recipe

The perfect blend of fresh, juicy and creamy flavours, with a little kick of spice.

Cherry quinoa salad with lamb recipe

Cherries are one seasonal superfruit you don't want to miss out on. Here's a delicious take on a lamb salad.

Grilled chicken with mango and avocado salsa recipe

The flavour of the mango, lime and coriander work perfectly together to add a taste of summer to any meal.

Grilled satay salmon fillets topped with a crunchy cucumber and herb salad, presented on a textured blue mat, accompanied by a bowl of rich, spicy satay sauce on the side, ready to be drizzled over the fish.

For the sweet tooth

No festive meal would be complete without a delicious dessert and these lower sugar alternatives mean you really can have your cake and eat it too.

10 delicious, low-sugar desserts

Desserts so delicious and fresh, you won't even notice they are low-sugar.

Homemade peach popsicles on a plate, set against a rustic blue wooden surface, giving a summertime vibe.

Refreshing mocktail sips

Sometimes it can feel like times of celebration and alcohol go hand in hand. But our favourite tipples often come at a price: from hidden calories to the wide ranging effects of the dreaded hangover. So why not switch some of your cocktails for these healthier mocktails. You’ll thank us for it in the morning!

Mocktail recipes: Five of the best

Looking to cut back? Here are our five favourite mocktail recipes.

A refreshing mocktail with ice, sliced strawberries, blueberries, and lime in a glass, set on a golden tray beside bowls of fresh berries, with a pitcher of the same drink in the background.

Earn up to $400 worth of rewards every year!^

Earn points for tracking your every day healthy actions such as eating, walking, stretching.... and even sleeping.

Find out more

^Medibank Live Better Challenges & Goals Earning Policy: The participant of a Medibank Live Better Challenge or Goal may not receive Live Better points or may have their already credited Live Better points reversed in accordance with the Medibank Live Better terms and conditions. To earn Live Better points, the participant needs to properly complete 100% of the eligible Challenge according to the instructions. The number of Live Better points available for Medibank Live Better Challenges and Goals is subject to change without prior notice. The maximum number of Live Better points that each Medibank Live Better member can earn from successfully completing health and wellbeing Challenges, Goals or any Onboarding action in a calendar year is 40,000 Live Better points. To the extent of any inconsistency between this Policy and the Medibank Live Better terms and conditions, the terms and conditions will take precedence.

Things you should know

: *Must be 18 years or over and have a valid Australian residential address to register for Medibank Live Better. Must be a Medibank member with hospital cover, extras cover, or hospital and extras cover, be up-to-date with premium payments and have signed up to Medibank Live Better with ‘My Medibank’ or have linked their MyMedibank account with their Live Better account to redeem rewards. Excludes Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), Ambulance only cover, ahm covers and other selected covers. Read full Medibank Live Better terms here.