Festive Season Health: 5 Low Carb Summer Recipes To Enjoy Now (Not Next Year)

The festive season is in full swing, and it can be so tempting to hit pause on health goals until the new year. Yet nourishing choices do not have to wait, and even small steps now can help you savour the celebrations without a spiral of regret.

This guide brings together 5 delicious Real Life Medicine summer recipes and simple mindset shifts to help healthy habits actually stick.

5 low carb summer recipes to try

These recipes are designed for Australian summer celebrations—fresh, satisfying and supportive of metabolic health.

• Festive Lamb Christmas Salad: Air-fried lamb with a fresh mint yoghurt dressing, served over a colourful, nutrient-rich salad that fits beautifully on any Christmas or summer table. Link: https://www.rlmedicine.com/blog/FestiveLambandChristmasSalad  ​

• Lovely Summer Salad: Mixed greens, Lebanese cucumber, creamy goat’s cheese and raspberries make a bright, fast, throw-together option for warm evenings or BBQs.  
  Link: https://www.rlmedicine.com/blog/SummerSalad​

• Low Carb Christmas Rum Balls: A “bring a plate” favourite, reimagined with low carb ingredients so you can contribute something festive that also supports blood sugar control. Recipe: https://www.rlmedicine.com/blog/low-carb-christmas-rum-balls  ​

• Low Carb Gingerbread Cookies: All the nostalgic Christmas spice, without the sugar overload, perfect for getting the kids involved in baking.
  Recipe: https://www.rlmedicine.com/blog/low-carb-gingerbread-cookies  ​

• Green Goddess Salad: A hearty bowl piled with green veggies, avocado, chicken and boiled eggs, ideal as a stand-alone lunch or a substantial side for parties.
  Recipe: https://www.rlmedicine.com/blog/green-salad

Shifting your mindset: why wait?

The holidays are famous for “I’ll start next year” thinking, but every nourishing decision you make today still counts for your future self. You do not need perfection; aiming for “better, not best” creates space for real life while still moving your health forward. Choosing one supportive action—like swapping a side, adding protein, or bringing your own low carb dessert—starts to reset habits long before January.

Let go of all-or-nothing

There will be parties, family lunches and richer meals; that is part of a full life. One indulgent meal does not undo your progress, but letting it become a week-long binge feels terrible, both physically and emotionally. When a meal is heavier than usual, simply make your very next one nourishing—health is created meal by meal, not in one perfect day.

Practice self-compassion

Holiday brain often whispers, “It’s too hard now,” “I’ve blown it,” or “May as well start Monday.” These are just stories, not facts, and noticing them is the first step to loosening their grip. Even when those thoughts show up, you can still choose something gentle and doable: add extra veggies to your plate, have a glass of sparkling water between drinks, or take a short walk after dinner.

Set small, specific intentions

Vague resolutions like “be good” are hard to act on, especially when you are tired or busy. Instead, choose one tiny, clear intention per day: swap soft drink for sparkling water, try one new Real Life Medicine recipe, or go to bed 30 minutes earlier. These modest steps compound over the weeks, so by the time New Year’s Day arrives, you already feel more grounded and in control.

Celebrate what really matters

This season is ultimately about connection, tradition and joy—not just what is on your plate. Use these recipes as a way to bring people together, share delicious food, and care for your metabolic health at the same time. Your body, your mind and your future self will feel the benefits well beyond the holiday period.

Dr Mary Barson and Dr Lucy are the founders of Real Life Medicine. They help women who have been on every diet under the sun, optimise their health and achieve long lasting weight loss without feeling miserable or deprived.

They do this with their 3 step framework:

• Strategies to improve your metabolism
• Brain-based skills to overcome self-sabotage
• Tools to make it easy to implement

With this comes increased energy, vitality and confidence.

You can avoid chronic disease and stop living life on the sidelines!