4 'Calorie Bomb' Easter Side Dishes To Avoid For Weight Loss This Year—And What To Make Instead: Avoid Mac & Cheese, Plus More

As Easter approaches and we prepare to gather around the table for a festive feast, it’s essential to be mindful of the potential pitfalls that can derail our weight loss efforts. Amidst the array of tempting side dishes, there are often ‘calorie bombs’ lurking, ready to sabotage our intentions. But fear not, for with a little awareness and creativity, you can navigate this year’s Easter feast without sacrificing taste or health goals.

We spoke with Jesse Feder, personal trainer, registered dietitian, and contributor to myfoodallergyteam.com, to learn about four high-calorie side dishes to avoid this Easter if you want to stick to your weight loss goals. He revealed that macaroni and cheese, sweet potato casserole, creamed spinach, and green bean casserole are the ones to watch out for. Read on to find out why and healthier alternatives to try instead.

Macaroni and cheese

Macaroni and cheese often earns a cherished place on the Easter table, delighting taste buds with its creamy texture and comforting flavors. However, this beloved dish can also be a sneaky contributor to excess calories, especially when prepared with copious amounts of cheese, butter, and cream.

Feder says that this beloved staple "is quite high in fats, carbs and calories. This is due to the pasta and cheese content. They can add up to hundred of calories for the side dish alone which can contribute to weight gain."

Healthier Alternative: Instead, he suggests opting for reduced-fat or low-fat cheese along with low-fat cream or milk. This adjustment can significantly reduce the overall fat and calorie content of the dish while still retaining its delicious flavor.

Sweet potato casserole

Typically made with mashed sweet potatoes, butter, brown sugar, and topped with a decadent layer of marshmallows or pecans, this dish embodies indulgence and tradition. However, its ingredients contribute to its reputation as a high-calorie offering. Sweet potatoes, while nutritious, can become calorically dense when combined with butter and sugar.

"Sweet potato casserole is typically made with high amounts of butter and sugar. This leads to it being a side dish that's quite high in calories which can surely lead to weight gain," says Feder.

Healthier Alternative: For a lighter option compared to sweet potato casserole, he recommends trying mashed sweet potatoes topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon. This alternative offers a deliciously satisfying taste with much fewer calories. Read more on the benefits of cinnamon here!

Creamed spinach

Creamed spinach, a classic Easter side dish, boasts a luxurious blend of fresh spinach simmered in a velvety sauce. This indulgent creation typically incorporates ingredients like heavy cream, butter, and perhaps a touch of cheese for added richness. While spinach itself offers an array of health benefits, including vitamins and minerals, the addition of high-fat components elevates the calorie count significantly.

Feder states that "creamed spinach is made using heavy cream typically. The high amount of cream used in this dish contributes a lot of fat and calories."

Healthier Alternative: He says to instead try sautéed spinach with a touch of low-fat butter. This option still maintains a rich flavor profile while dropping down the calorie count.

Green bean casserole

While this dish is a perennial favorite on holiday tables, its calorie content can be surprisingly high. The creamy sauce usually contains ingredients like butter, heavy cream, and condensed soup, adding richness and elevating its calorie density. Despite the nutritional value of green beans, the decadent additions in this casserole can make it a calorie-heavy option.

"Green bean casserole is made typically with a creamy soup and sometimes fried onions for texture. This causes the side dish to be quite high in both fat and calories which can add inches to your waistline," Feder says.

Healthier Alternative: For a lighter twist on green bean casserole, he advises trying sautéed green beans with a drizzle of low-fat butter; this will cut down on any unnecessary calories.