Feel Fuller & More Energized This Holiday Season: Easy Swaps I Love

The holidays are magical—but they’re also busy, full of sugar, and packed with moments where meals get rushed and blood sugar gets wobbly. This season, I’m leaning into a few of my go-to swaps that help you feel fuller longer, keep cravings at bay, and give you steady energy through all the festive chaos.

These simple upgrades blend perfectly into real life (and real schedules). And the best part? They taste amazing.

Let’s dive in!

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🎄 Start With Fiber: My Favorite Holiday Mocktail Swap

You already know I’m a huge fan of fiber for its ability to keep you fuller, stabilize blood sugar, and support gut health. And one of my favorite (and easiest!) ways to sneak extra fiber in during the holidays is with OLIPOP.

It’s my year-round soda swap, but their seasonal flavors—especially Crisp Apple and Ginger Ale—shine this time of year.

Why I love OLIPOP:

• Only 2–5g of sugar per can
• 6–9g of prebiotic fiber
• Botanical blends that support digestion
• Festive flavors perfect for zero-sugar holiday sips

Holiday Crisp Apple Mocktail (Recipe Inspiration!)

• Fill a glass with ice
• Add OLIPOP Crisp Apple
• Sprinkle in cinnamon
• Garnish with apple slices + a cinnamon stick

It tastes like apple pie in a glass—but with fiber that actually keeps you full. Starting your evening with fiber is one of the easiest ways to reduce sugar cravings later.

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☕️ Begin With Protein: The Easiest Morning Stabilizer

One of the biggest predictors of how you’ll feel in the afternoon is actually… what you had for breakfast. Protein in the morning stabilizes your blood sugar all day. But in the holiday rush, cooking isn’t always happening.

Enter Pirq—one of my favorite protein-on-the-go choices.

What’s inside Pirq:

• 21g plant-based protein
• 26 superfoods (turmeric, greens, adaptogens)
• Zero sugar
• Dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan
• Creamy and indulgent—like a holiday treat

You can find Pirq nationwide at Whole Foods, Sprouts, Safeway, and Albertsons.

Protein Mocha Latte (Recipe Inspiration!)

For a morning that feels cozy and festive but still supports your blood sugar:

• Pour ½ bottle of Chocolate Pirq over ice
• Add espresso (or strong coffee)
• Optional: warm + froth for a cozy latte

It tastes like an iced mocha—but with 21g of clean protein and zero dairy.

Pairing morning protein + evening fiber is one of the easiest ways to feel your best all season. Your cravings drop, your energy steadies, and you stay full longer.

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🎂 Better Holiday Baking: Ingredient Swaps to Lighten the Load

Now let’s talk holiday baking—one of my favorite parts of the season. With a few strategic swaps, you can enjoy your treats and nourish your metabolism.

These are the exact swaps I use in my own kitchen!

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🍎 Swap Oil/Butter for Applesauce (North Coast Organic)

Using unsweetened applesauce in place of oil or butter adds natural sweetness, reduces saturated fat, and keeps your baked goods perfectly moist.

I love North Coast Organic because they use:

• Whole organic apples
• No added sugar
• No preservatives
• Natural fiber + pectin

You can find them at H-E-B, Whole Foods, and Sprouts.

2-Ingredient Applesauce Cupcakes (Recipe Inspiration!)

• 1 box yellow or spice cake mix
• 1 jar North Coast Organic Unsweetened Applesauce

Mix together, bake, and enjoy. That’s it. Moist, tender, and so simple.

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✨ Swap Sugary Sprinkles for Sprinkle Bites

Decorating shouldn’t require a sugar crash afterward. Sprinkle Bites are one of my favorite festive upgrades:

• Gluten-free
• Sugar-free
• Protein-packed
• Colorful + crunchy

Add them to cookies, pancakes, smoothie bowls, yogurt, or gingerbread houses for all the fun—without the extra sugar.

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🥤 Swap Dessert Sauces or Mix-Ins for OLIPOP

Beyond mocktails, OLIPOP makes a surprisingly fun swap inside baking recipes too. You can use an entire can in place of oil, eggs, and water for a fluffy, lower-sugar, high-fiber cake.

The carbonation is the secret—it creates the perfect rise.

2-Ingredient OLIPOP Cupcakes (Recipe Inspiration!)

• 1 box cake mix
• 1 can OLIPOP (Apple Crisp or Ginger Ale are perfect holiday choices)

Mix gently, bake, and enjoy a lighter, super-fluffy cake.

Try:
Spice Cake + Ginger Ale OLIPOP = gingerbread vibes
Strawberry Cake + Cream Soda OLIPOP = festive pink cupcakes

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❤️ The Holiday Swap Formula

By choosing fiber-rich beverages, protein-focused breakfasts, and smarter baking ingredients, you’ll:
✓ Feel fuller longer
✓ Reduce cravings
✓ Support digestion
✓ Maintain stable energy
✓ Keep sugar overload in check
✓ Still enjoy ALL the fun and flavor

Small swaps carry big impact—especially during busy seasons.

Big Takeaway

By embracing these thoughtful swaps, you’ll:

• Reduce refined sugar and saturated fat
• Add fiber, natural sweetness, and protein
• Support your gut health and energy levels
• Enjoy the warmth, joy, and flavor of your beloved holiday classics

Let’s transform this holiday season into a celebration of joy, health, and delectable flavors!