10 Ways to Eat Green on Saint Patrick's Day

The healthy way

Ah, Saint Patrick's Day. The time of year when everyone becomes Irish for a day and the smell of corned beef and cabbage permeates the air. But what about those of us who want to celebrate the holiday without sacrificing our healthy eating habits? If this resonates with you, read on because we compiled a menu of healthy and delicious options for your Saint Patrick's Day feast.

First up, we have the Unstuffed Cabbage. This dish is a lighter take on traditional stuffed cabbage, with all the flavor and none of the guilt. Packed with nutrient-rich cabbage and brown rice, this dish is a vegetarian winner.

Next, we have a protein-packed savory oatmeal. Yes, you read that right. Oatmeal isn’t always sweet. This dish combines oats with savory flavors plant-based bacon, eggs and parmesan cheese to create a filling and delicious breakfast.

Individual Turkey Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie is a complete meal with a healthy twist. Using sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes adds an extra dose of vitamins, minerals and fiber. And making individual servings is perfect for portion control!

The Instant Pot Cabbage Soup is a great option for those who want a warming, comforting soup without excessive calories.  Loaded with cabbage, carrots, and chicken sausage, this soup is perfect for a chilly Saint Patrick's Day evening.

Speaking of soup, our Potato Leek Soup is a classic for a reason. This creamy soup includes all of the Irish staples including potatoes, carrots and celery and is perfect for a Saint Patrick's Day lunch . Bonus it’s both healthy and satisfying.

Feeling bold? How about a Leprechaun Smoothie Bowl? This festive green bowl is full of healthy ingredients like spinach, banana, and avocado, which all work great together. Topped with pineapple and pistachio, it's a fun and delicious way to get your kids to eat their greens!

Mushroom Lovers Shepherd's Pie is perfect for those who aren't big fans of ground meat. Using mushrooms instead creates a rich and flavorful vegan filling.  And if you’re carb conscious you could even top with mashed cauliflower instead of potatoes to cut down on the carbs.

For a light and refreshing side dish, try our Carrot Fennel Slaw. This dish is perfect for balancing out the heavier items on the menu, plus it adds a nice crunch.  This slaw is a bit different thanks to its anise or light licorice flavor from the fennel which adds a dimension that will have you going back for more!

Of course, no Saint Patrick’s Day feast would be complete without some soda bread. Our Currant-Banana Soda Bread with Caraway Seeds is a healthier take on the classic recipe. Using banana takes the place of some of the butter and adds natural sweetness and the addition of currants keeps the flavor interesting.  If you don’t have currants, raisins will work well as a substitute.

And last but not least, we have the Dole version of colcannon. This dish is basically mashed potatoes with spinach, with our special addition of plantains! Adding spinach not only adds a nice pop of color, but also bumps up the nutrient content.

So, there you have it. A healthy and delicious Saint Patrick's Day menu that will keep the holiday both festive and nutritious!

Published March 1, 2024