Is it just us, or does the Christmas eating season kick off just as early as the shopping one does?


It's one of the easiest times to lose sight of your health-minded eating plans, despite everyone's best intentions to avoid winter weight gain[1] . Still, we think the season just wouldn't be the same without the occasional festive indulgence.


There aren't many redeeming qualities in your favorite Christmas cookies, however there are simple swaps and recipe tweaks that can make a sweat treat a better fit for your personal dietary style. Here, a few of our favorites to satisfy a whole host of special diets. Leave your favorite healthy-ish Christmas cookies in the comments below!




Paleo


iced gingerbread cookies


These caveman-friendly bites[2] rely on coconut and almond flours instead of the refined stuff, and are loaded with flavor in the form of some of healthiest spices of the season[3] , like ginger, cloves and cinnamon.




Nut Free


chocolate thumbprint cookies


Thumbprints are so often nut-butter-based, so people with allergies will love this cocoa version[4] of the holiday classic. Plus, we're suckers for the very real health benefits of chocolate[5] .




Gluten Free


peppermint bark


These impressive Peppermint Bark beauties from Gluten Free Canteen[6] rely on brown and white rice flours and tapioca starch for a wheat-free treat.




Vegan


avocado cookie


The buttery texture of avocado -- yes, real avocado! -- means these Avocado Almond Cookies from I'll Make It Myself![7] don't require a heavily-processed dairy-free substitute. Just swap the egg for tofu or try making your own "flax egg", a concoction of flax meal and water that, when prepared with care[8] , can simulate the consistency of eggs.




Low Sugar


brown sugar cookie


It's tough to find a sugar cookie one could actually deem nutritious. But some commercially-prepared varieties truly are worse than others, clocking in at 14 grams of sugar per cookie[9] ! Suddenly a recipe like this one from Health magazine[10] , which only contains 5 grams of sugar, isn't looking so bad.



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  • Cinnamon


    A staple in holiday cookie recipes -- and sprinkled atop seasonal drinks -- cinnamon has several health benefits. Studies have linked consumption of this spice to lower blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes, says registered dietitian and American Dietetic Association spokesperson, Toby Smithson, founder of <a href="http://www.DiabetesEveryDay.com" target="_hplink">DiabetesEveryDay.com</a> -- it may also decrease cholesterol and triglyceride levels.




  • Ginger


    Turns out a dose of ginger tea for an upset stomach isn't an old wives' tail -- the spice has been shown to calm nausea and help with motion sickness, Smithson says (helpful after holiday travel!). It may also help to ease migraine headaches and possibly even prevent ovarian cancer.

    In addition, ginger may relieve pain and swelling from arthritis, says Katherine Brooking, RD, co-founder of <a href="http://www.AppForHealth.com" target="_hplink">AppForHealth.com</a>. But beware that it can hinder blood clotting, meaning you should speak to your doctor if you're taking a blood thinner or aspirin, or if you're about to have surgery.




  • Nutmeg


    Nutmeg can make the whole house smell festive -- and it may have other sweet perks, as well. <a href="http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/blogs/vitamin-g/2010/09/5-surprising-health-benefits-o.html" target="_hplink">Glamour reported</a> in 2010 that this spice can regulate your GI tract and promote sleep. It also has <a href="http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/blogs/vitamin-g/2010/09/5-surprising-health-benefits-o.html" target="_hplink">anti-inflammatory properties</a> -- Glamour suggests mixing it with milk to apply to a facial blemish or rubbing a little of the oil form onto your gums for toothaches.




  • Cloves


    Just a half-teaspoon of cloves, Smithson says, has higher antioxidant content than an entire half-cup of blueberries or cranberries. Cloves contain an active component called eugenol, Brooking explains, which some <a href="http://jap.physiology.org/content/108/4/845.short" target="_hplink">research suggests</a> operates as an anti-inflammatory.




  • Peppermint


    As if you needed one more reason to nosh on a candy cane, Smithson says peppermint can quell an upset stomach, alleviate headaches and sooth symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome -- it may also have cancer prevention properties. But be careful if you're prone to heartburn, as peppermint can make it worse.