The holiday season brings some of our favorite meals… but also some of the heaviest ingredients. From casseroles to creamy soups to baked desserts, it’s easy to fill our kitchens with things that leave us feeling bloated, exhausted, or foggy. As a postpartum and breastfeeding mom, I’ve felt this more than ever.
But here’s the good news:
You don’t have to sacrifice tradition to make healthier choices.
Small, simple swaps can completely transform your holiday table and nourish your family at the same time.
This guide is all about clean, affordable holiday swaps that help you feel good, support your wellness goals, and keep the flavors your family loves.
🥘 1. Swap Canned Soups for Clean Monday Meals Mixes
This might be my favorite swap of the season.
Growing up, our holiday casseroles were filled with canned cream soups… and at the time, we didn’t know any better. But the recent articles about certain brands (hello, Campbell’s) just confirm what many of us suspected: artificial ingredients, processed oils, and a whole lot of additives we don’t want in our bodies.
Clean Monday Meals changed everything for us.
Their Cream of Chicken and Cream of Mushroom mixes are:
• Gluten-free
• Dairy-free
• Soy-free
• Non-GMO
• Seed-oil free
• Made with simple, real ingredients
The flavor is cozy and nostalgic, and you can use it in:
– Green bean casserole
– Chicken and rice
– Holiday gravies
– Pot pie
– Soups and stews
– Any recipe calling for a cream soup
It’s the easiest clean upgrade you’ll make this holiday season.
🧈 2. Use Grass-Fed Butter Instead of Conventional
Grass-fed butter tastes better and contains nutrients like vitamin K2, omega-3s, and CLA. It makes mashed potatoes richer, stuffing more flavorful, and baked goods more nourishing.
A small swap with a big difference.
🍗 3. Choose Organic or Homemade Broth
Broth is the base for so many winter meals.
But many store-bought broths contain cane sugar, natural flavors, or preservatives.
If you have turkey leftovers, making your own bone broth is incredibly healing, especially postpartum.
Homemade broth supports:
• Gut health
• Immunity
• Skin and hair
• Joint support
• Postpartum recovery
But if you need store-bought, organic is worth it. A good brand option is Kettle & Fire.
🌾 4. Bake With Real Sweeteners
Instead of white sugar, try:
• Maple syrup
• Coconut sugar
• Raw honey
These sweeteners are less processed and add deeper flavor to holiday desserts.
🥣 5. Swap Vegetable Oil for Avocado or Coconut Oil
Seed oils oxidize quickly and aren’t ideal for cooking.
Avocado oil and coconut oil are stable at high heat and offer better nourishment.
Perfect for roasting veggies, sautéing sides, or prepping breakfast casseroles.
🥔 6. Choose Real Potatoes Over Boxed Mixes
Mashed potatoes made from scratch are:
• Cheaper
• Cleaner
• More flavorful
Try adding grass-fed butter, sea salt, and garlic for a cozy, simple holiday side.
🍞 7. Upgrade Stuffing Easily
If you use boxed stuffing, choose a brand with:
• Minimal ingredients
• No artificial flavors
• No seed oils
Or make your own with sourdough, broth, butter, onions, and herbs.
✨ The Heart Behind Clean Holiday Swaps
Clean living is not about perfection.
It’s about intention.
It’s choosing the ingredients that support your family’s health while still enjoying the traditions you love.
And during this busy, beautiful season, these small changes can help you feel more energized, more nourished, and more present with the people you love.
📌 Want to Try Clean Monday Meals?
I linked our favorites with a discount here and also on our Instagram.
These mixes truly make holiday cooking easier and cleaner.
Living Life with a Purpose 