Holiday Health Hacks: 10 Simple Swaps to Slash Sodium in Your Favorite Festive Meals

9. Choose Unsalted Nuts for Crunchy Holiday Mix-ins

Nuts add crunch and flavor to everything from salads to stuffings and festive dessert bars. While they’re naturally heart-healthy, store-bought versions are often heavily salted. Choosing raw or dry-roasted unsalted nuts lets you control the flavor while slashing sodium. For an extra boost, lightly toast the nuts in your oven with rosemary, orange zest, or even a pinch of smoked paprika. This puts you in charge of both the seasoning and the sodium. Unsalted nuts retain the tradition and pleasure of the holidays—just with smarter, healthier choices built right in.

10. Infuse Gravy with Fresh Herbs Instead of Packets

Gravy is a holiday essential, but commercial seasoning packets can pack hundreds of milligrams of sodium into just a few spoonfuls. Making your own gravy base from pan drippings and infusing it with fresh sage, rosemary, or thyme delivers rich flavor and aroma—without the excess salt. Steep the herbs in the warm sauce as it simmers, then remove before serving for a subtle, sophisticated result. Using herbs in place of salt-heavy mixes helps maintain those familiar, beloved flavors, and turns every pour into an act of holiday heart care. Simple, beautiful, and truly delicious.