Healthy Holiday Menus Under 600 Calories

We all know the High holidays are filled with reflection, prayer and lots and lots of eating.  This September will essentially be a month of big meals.  There is no hard data on the average Rosh Hashanaha meal, but considering the challah, the honey, the meats, starchy sides and desserts it has got to rival those of Thanksgiving, which according to Caloric Control Council tops 4500 calories and 229 grams of fat.  That is more than double the average persons daily recommended calorie limit.  I know it is the holidays and we should be joyous and not think about fat and calories, but we are not just celebrating for one day, we have 9 of them!!!

So, go ahead and enjoy yourself on the first night and then consider lightening it up a bit for the other 8 holiday days.  If you are careful with serving sizes and plan to eat lots of veggies you can keep the calories down without missing any of the fun.  An average slice of challah will run you between 60 and 100 calories.  Excluding the challah, here are three menus to help you keep it light as we welcome in a new year.

600 Calorie Menu

Scallion Salmon Gefilte Fish with Wasabi Sauce

Sweet and Spicy Tomato and Pepper Chicken Stew

Spiced Broccoli Rabe

Tropical Mango Sorbet

500 Calorie Menu

Scroll to continue

Cucumber Gazpacho

Southwestern Turkey Breast and Green Chili Stuffing

Non Dairy Creamed Spinach

Watermelon Granita-Filled Lime Cups

400 Calorie Menu

Pepper Tomato Soup

Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken

Simply Sauteed Green Beans

Non Dairy Creamed Corn

Baked Apple Sauce

 I hope you enjoy these light menus throughout this holiday season or really any time.  Please join me in thanking my assistant Dahlia Milech,  for composing these menus to meet our strict calorie criteria.  Dahlia lives in New York with her husband Jonathan and her dog Sammy. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology at Teachers College, Columbia University. When she is not studying, she enjoys working out, traveling, and of course, cooking!

If you like these menus and want to see more like them for other holidays, comment below.