The holiday season is a time for joy, togetherness, and, of course, delicious treats. For those following a ketogenic diet, navigating the abundance of sugary temptations can be challenging, especially for children. An advent calendar offers a fun way to count down the days until Christmas, and with a little creativity, you can create a keto-friendly version that everyone can enjoy.
The Magic of Advent Calendars: A Tradition Reimagined
Advent calendars have long been a beloved tradition, with children eagerly anticipating opening a small door each day to reveal a treat or a trinket. For families with members on a ketogenic diet, the standard chocolate-filled calendars can present a problem. However, with a few clever adaptations, everyone can participate in the fun.
DIY Keto Advent Calendars: A Personalized Approach
One approach is to repurpose existing advent calendars. As one parent shared, they would carefully open their children's advent calendars, remove the low-quality chocolates, and replace them with a keto-friendly alternative. This simple hack allowed their child to feel included and enjoy the daily ritual without compromising their diet.
Step-by-Step Guide to a DIY Keto Chocolate Advent Calendar
Here's a detailed guide to creating your own keto chocolate advent calendar:
Carefully Open the Advent Calendar: Use a sharp knife to gently cut open the box, taking care not to damage the cardboard shell, as you'll need to reassemble it later. The glue can be strong, so work slowly and deliberately.
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Prepare the Keto Chocolate: Choose your favorite keto chocolate. Lily's Original Dark Chocolate Bar is a popular option. For a higher fat ratio, mix it with some pure cocoa butter, which remains solid at room temperature. Break the chocolate into small pieces and place them in a zip-top bag.
Melt the Chocolate: Seal the bag and place it in a bowl of hot tap water until the chocolate melts. Alternatively, melt the chocolate in a glass bowl set over hot water if you're concerned about chemicals leaching from plastic.
Fill the Calendar Spaces: Snip a tiny corner from the bag and carefully fill each space in the advent calendar with the melted sugar-free chocolate. You can also use a silicone mold to create small chocolate shapes if you prefer.
Allow to Harden: Give the filling enough time to harden completely before reassembling the box. This may take a few hours, depending on the room temperature. Avoid refrigerating or freezing the chocolate unless necessary, as it can affect the shine.
Reassemble the Calendar: Once the chocolate has set, slide the plastic mold back into the cardboard calendar shell. If needed, use tape to secure the top of the box where you cut it open.
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Alternative Filling Options
Instead of chocolate, consider using keto caramel or other sugar-free fillings. This adds variety and allows you to tailor the calendar to your family's preferences.
Addressing Plastic Concerns
It is worth noting that there are concerns about neurotoxic chemicals in plastics. Acidic ingredients like chocolate can potentially leach these chemicals from plastic. If you're concerned about this, consider using glass or silicone alternatives for melting and molding the chocolate.
Beyond Chocolate: Non-Food Keto Advent Calendar Ideas
For those who prefer non-edible options, there are many creative alternatives to food-based advent calendars.
Toy and Trinket Calendars
Lego offers fun advent calendars, and Aldi often has a variety of affordable options. You can also invest in an empty, reusable calendar that you can fill with small toys or trinkets of your choosing.
Charm Bracelet Calendar
Consider a charm bracelet calendar, where each day reveals a new charm to add to the bracelet. This can be a delightful and lasting keepsake.
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Experience-Based Advent Calendars: Creating Memories
Focus on experiences rather than material goods.
Holiday Activities: Include activities like checking out local light displays, watching holiday movies, or embracing the Elf on the Shelf.
DIY Ornaments: Make ornaments such as Cinnamon Dough Ornaments.
Store-Bought Keto-Friendly Treats for Your Advent Calendar
If you prefer the convenience of store-bought items, here are some keto-friendly options to consider (always check with your keto medical team to ensure they are appropriate for your specific diet):
- Holiday silicone baking molds for fat bombs or other keto treats
- Lily's Chocolate Holiday Variety Pack
- Lakanto Sugar-Free Drinking Chocolate (1 gram of net carbs after subtracting fiber and erythritol)
- Max Mallow (a variety of sugar-free marshmallows)
- DASH Holiday Mini Waffle Maker Set
Keto-Friendly Christmas Recipes to Brighten the Season
Food is often a central part of Christmas celebrations. Here are some easy and delicious keto-friendly recipes to enjoy during the holiday season:
Cinnamon Roll Bites
Dough Ingredients:
- 112 g (1 cup) almond flour
- 26 g (1/4 cup) ground flax
- 7 g (1 Tbsp) coconut flour
- 48 g (1/4 cup) erythritol
- 8 g (2 tsp) baking powder
- 1.5 g (1/4 tsp) salt
- 56 g (1/4 cup) butter, softened
- 50 g (1 large) raw egg
- 3 g (1/2 tsp) vanilla extract
Cinnamon Streusel Filling Ingredients:
- 56 g (1/4 cup) melted butter
- 36 g (3 T) erythritol
- 7 g (1 T) cinnamon
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Line pan with parchment paper on a flat sheet or 8x8 square pan.
- Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl and add softened butter. Distribute through dry ingredients.
- Combine egg and vanilla, stir. Add to dry mixture.
- Place dough on a large sheet of parchment paper, then fold paper in half so that the paper is sandwiching the dough.
- Start to work the dough into a flat rectangle between the parchment paper, using a rolling pin if needed. Once flattened, the rectangle should measure 9 x 12 inches.
- Next, make cinnamon streusel filling by combining melted butter, erythritol, and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Spoon filling over rolled-out dough and spread to cover.
- Using parchment paper as a guide, start from one of the shorter ends and begin rolling slowly.
- Once you have completed rolling, use a knife to cut the roll into 9 slices, and place each slice cut side down in the pan.
Strawberries and Cream Cheese Toast
Ingredients:
- 35 g fresh strawberries
- 2 slices (56 g) L'Oven fresh bread
- 2 Tbsp (28 g) butter
- 2 Tbsp (10 g) unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2.5 oz (70 g) cream cheese (block)
Directions:
- "Toast" bread with butter.
- Spread cream cheese on bread and sprinkle with unsweetened shredded coconut.
- Serve with 35 grams of strawberries.
Nutrition Information (entire recipe): 586 calories, 55.4 g fat, 16.1 g protein, 5.8 g net CHO at a 2.5:1 keto ratio
Cheeseball
Ingredients:
- 8 oz (224 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (52 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup (50 g) chopped green olives
- 1/4 cup (16 g) chopped green onions
- 1/2 cup (50 g) chopped pecans - for outside
- 2 Tbsp (8 g) raw parsley - for outside
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients (except pecans and parsley) and shape into a ball.
- Lay out plastic wrap (enough to cover cheeseball) and put pecans and parsley on top of it (centered).
- Place cheeseball on top of pecans and parsley and roll to cover the outside (it's OK if it doesn't cover the entire cheeseball).
- Wrap up with the plastic wrap.
- Place in fridge until ready to eat! Serve with raw vegetables (carrots, cucumbers, etc.) or try these keto-friendly almond crackers from the Charlie Foundation.
Nutrition information (entire recipe): 1430 calories, 138.8 g fat, 32.6 g protein, 13.1 g net CHO at a 3:1 keto ratio
Ham & Au Gratin Cauliflower (makes 2 servings)
Ingredients:
- 1 small head (265 g) of cauliflower, chopped (weigh this then steam)
- ½ cup (120 g) cream
- ¼ cup (28 g) cheddar cheese, grated
- ¼ cup (56 g) butter
- 2 oz (56 g) Ham (Off the Bone Black Forest ham)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
- Steam the cauliflower and place in a dish.
- Melt the cheese and butter and mix well, then add the cream and combine.
- Pour sauce over the steamed cauliflower and mash to desired consistency.
- Divide into two servings then top each serving with 1 oz (28 g) ham.**Could consider baking this in the oven for a crunchier & well-done texture.
Nutrition information (entire recipe): 1060 calories, 101 g fat, 24.4 g protein, 12.8 g net CHO at a 2.7:1 keto ratio
Chicken and Cabbage Soup (a great option for New Year’s Day)
Ingredients:
- ½ cup (120 g) chicken broth, Imagine Organic
- 1/4 cup (40 g) raw green cabbage, shredded
- 1 Tbsp (10 g) raw onion, diced small
- 1 clove (4g) raw garlic, diced fine
- 1 oz (28 g) cooked chicken breast, diced - for higher ratio, can use dark meat chicken
- 1 Tbsp (15 g) butter
- 1 Tbsp (15 g) olive oil
- 1 Tbsp (15 g) Hellman's mayonnaise
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Directions:
- Add the butter and olive oil to a small pot. Over medium low heat, melt the butter.
- Add the cabbage, onions, and garlic to the butter and oil. Sautee until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Add the broth and chicken to the vegetables. Cover and let the soup simmer over low heat until the vegetables are very soft.
- Remove the pot from the heat and add the mayonnaise. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup.Note: If the soup reduces too much, you may add a little water. The mayonnaise is used to help keep the ingredients emulsified once it has been pureed. If you prefer not use mayonnaise, heavy cream or additional butter and oil may be used in its place.
Keto Hot Chocolate
Ingredients:
- 2 Tbsp (30 g) cream
- 1 tsp (2 g) unsweetened cocoa powder (Hershey’s)
- 1 cup (240 g) unsweetened almond milk
- Sweetener, to taste
- 5 total (~8 g) Max Mallows
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients (except Max Mallows) in a microwave-safe container and microwave until desired temperature. You can also use the stovetop to warm ingredients as well.
- Top with 5 Max Mallows.
Nutrition information (entire recipe): 250 calories, 24.3 g fat, 3.1 g protein, 4.6 g net CHO at a 3.1:1 keto ratio
*To increase the ratio, increase the amount of cream inside the recipe or added on top as a “whipped” cream. To decrease the ratio, increase Max Mallows or decrease the amount of cream.
Sugar-Free Advent Calendar Printables: Add a Personal Touch
Enhance your keto advent calendar with free printables that include gift bag templates, gift ideas, and activity suggestions. These printables can help you create a personalized and engaging experience for your family.
Understanding Advent Calendars: History and Traditions
The advent calendar originated in the 19th century when religious families made a chalk mark every day of December until Christmas Eve. Today, advent calendars typically have small numbered flaps that, when opened on each day of Advent (December 1-24th), reveal a picture, treat, or prize celebrating the Christmas season.
Most advent calendars have 24 days, counting up to Christmas Day, but some have 25 and include Christmas Day. Advent calendars count 1-24 up to the special day to celebrate Christmas Day. They are not supposed to be a countdown calendar that would count from 24 down to 0.
Each window or box might contain a prayer, a small gift, a treat, dark chocolate or milk chocolate, part of a manger scene, an activity, or a toy.
Unusual Advent Calendar Ideas for Adults
Instead of a boring milk chocolate advent calendar, consider filling your gift bags or gift boxes with more grown-up ideas, such as a whiskey advent calendar, tea advent calendar, or a coffee advent calendar.
The Problem with Conventional Advent Calendar Chocolate
The chocolate found inside most store-bought advent calendars is usually of poor quality and has very high sugar. Some milk chocolate advent calendars don’t even contain real chocolate. If it is not real chocolate, it is candy. The FDA states milk chocolate must have 10% cocoa mass (cocoa nibs and cocoa fat). White chocolate has often been called sweetened fat because it is simply cacao butter with sugar.