Santa Claus is known around the world as a jolly old elf who delivers gifts to children on Christmas Eve. But behind the folklore and legends, Santa is a person who has basic needs like the rest of us – including eating! So what kinds of food does Santa love to fuel up on before his big night of gift-giving?
Does Santa have any favorite foods?
According to the folklore, Santa has a few favorite treats that help power him through the long night of delivering presents. Here are some of Santa’s preferred foods:
- Milk and cookies – This is the classic snack that children often leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve. He’s especially fond of home-baked chocolate chip, sugar, oatmeal, or gingerbread cookies accompanied by a tall, cold glass of milk.
- Fruitcake – Santa has a sweet tooth and can’t resist a slice of the dense, rich fruitcake that many families gift to others during the holidays. He’ll often take a tasty fruitcake along with him in the sleigh.
- Hot cocoa – On cold winter nights, a steaming cup of hot cocoa helps warm Santa up between house visits. The rich chocolatey drink gives him an energy boost too.
- Candy canes – Santa loves the minty flavor and whimsical shape of candy canes. He’ll often hang them from Christmas trees as he delivers presents.
- Eggnog – A glass of creamy, spiced eggnog is one of Santa’s favorite libations. The combination of egg, milk, cream, sugar, and spices is the perfect wintery drink.
Of course, these are just a few of Santa’s preferred treats. He has a hearty appetite after a long night of present deliveries, so a variety of delicious holiday foods to choose from is always appreciated.
What are Santa’s dietary restrictions?
When prepping the traditional plate of cookies and glass of milk for Santa, it’s important to consider any dietary restrictions he may have. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Santa is lactose intolerant – While Santa enjoys milk, too much dairy doesn’t agree with his digestion. Low-lactose or non-dairy milk like almond, soy, or rice milk is a better option.
- Santa avoids nuts – Santa has a nut allergy, so cookies or other treats made with nuts could make him feel unwell.
- Santa eats gluten-free – Santa finds that gluten-free cookies or other baked goods are easier to digest.
- Santa has a sweet tooth but avoids excess sugar – While Santa enjoys sweets, too much sugar makes him feel tired. Lower sugar treats are ideal.
- Santa prefers heart-healthy fats – Santa opts for baked goods made with heart-healthy fats like olive oil or avocado instead of butter.
Keeping these dietary needs and restrictions in mind will help make sure Santa can fully enjoy his Christmas Eve snack!
What are some of Santa’s favorite holiday meals?
After a long night of present deliveries, Santa works up quite an appetite! He looks forward to hearty, savory meals to replenish and re-energize. Here are some of Santa’s go-to Christmas and holiday dinner choices:
- Roast turkey – Santa can’t resist a moist, juicy turkey, especially when served with cranberry sauce on the side.
- Ham – A honey-glazed ham is another favorite main course for Santa’s Christmas dinner.
- Pot roast – Comforting, tender pot roast really hits the spot after a chilly sleigh ride.
- Lasagna – Layered lasagna loaded with meat, cheese, and vegetables makes a satisfying meal.
- Tamales – Santa enjoys a taste of tradition with tamales: seasoned meat wrapped in masa dough.
- Fruit salad – Santa always saves room for this refreshing, healthy dessert made with fresh seasonal fruit.
When prepping a meal for Santa, keep these savory dishes and classics in mind. He’s sure to come back year after year for delicious food served with the warmth and hospitality of the holiday season.
What are some lighter snacks Santa enjoys?
While Santa looks forward to indulging on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, he tries to eat lighter the rest of the holiday season. Here are some of his favorite snacks for when he’s watching his figure:
- Apples and peanut butter – For protein-packed energy, Santa enjoys apple slices dipped in creamy peanut butter (if he doesn’t have a nut allergy).
- Yogurt parfaits – Layers of yogurt, fruit, and crunchy granola make for a satisfying treat.
- Veggies and hummus – Santa opts for nutrition-dense raw veggies like carrots, celery, and bell peppers served with protein-rich hummus.
- Cottage cheese and fruit – Low-fat cottage cheese paired with pineapple, peaches, or berries is one of Santa’s go-to snacks.
- Hard boiled eggs – High-protein hard boiled eggs provide lasting energy when Santa needs a pick-me-up.
- Fresh fruit – Apples, bananas, pineapple, and other fresh fruits are tasty, portable snacks.
It’s important for Santa to balance out the milk and cookies with more wholesome food choices throughout the holidays. Light, fresh snacks give him sustained energy without overdoing it on sugar or fat.
Does Santa have any food indulgences “on cheat days”?
Even Santa needs a cheat day once in a while! When he wants to indulge his sweet tooth or savor something really decadent, these are some of Santa’s favorite food splurges:
- Ice cream – Santa can’t say no to a scoop (or two!) of creamy ice cream in favorite flavors like mint chocolate chip or cookie dough.
- Gingerbread – Santa enjoys making ornate gingerbread houses decorated with colorful icing and candy.
- Fudge – Silky, rich batches of chocolate fudge are irresistible when Santa’s looking to treat himself.
- Peppermint bark – Santa loves breaking the crispy chocolate and minty candy cane coating into festive pieces.
- Hot fudge sundae – Santa will indulge in the classic ice cream sundae topped with hot fudge, whipped cream, and a maraschino cherry on special occasions.
- Pumpkin pie – Around Thanksgiving, a slice of velvety pumpkin pie with whipped cream is a must-have for Santa.
Even someone as merry as Santa needs to take a break and enjoy some naughty delights once in a while! Moderation and balance are key, but treats like these bring extra joy to Santa during the holidays.
What are Santa’s favorite holiday drinks?
Whether he’s looking to warm up with a comforting hot drink or toast the season with a festive beverage, Santa has some holiday-themed favorites:
- Hot chocolate – Rich hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and a candy cane is perfect for warding off the chill after sleigh rides.
- Apple cider – Santa loves a steaming mug of spiced apple cider, especially if it’s served with an apple cider donut.
- Eggnog – Eggnog lattes from the coffee shop are a deliciously indulgent treat for Santa.
- Gingerbread latte – The flavors of gingerbread in a festive coffee drink make Santa smile.
- Peppermint mocha – Santa frequents the coffee shop for the sweet/chocolatey peppermint mocha during the holidays.
- Mulled wine – On Christmas Eve, Santa warms up with a glass of aromatic mulled wine before his deliveries.
With so many wonderful hot and cold beverage options, it’s no wonder Santa makes multiple trips to coffee shops and cafes during the holidays. A tasty, seasonal drink is the perfect accompaniment to cookie breaks or as a nightcap after a long night.
What are Santa’s remedies for holiday overindulgence?
Like anyone else, Santa tends to overdo it a bit on the food and drink during the holidays. When he’s feeling the effects of too many sweets or rich dishes, here are some of Santa’s go-to remedies:
- Drinking plenty of water – Staying hydrated helps Santa flush out excess sugar, salt, and wine indulgences over the holidays.
- Exercising – Santa makes sure to take brisk walks or do light strength training to get moving after big holiday meals.
- Eating fruits, veggies, and lean protein – Santa balances out treats with nutritious fruits, vegetables, yogurt, eggs, and other wholesome items.
- Getting enough sleep – Rest and rejuvenation help Santa feel refreshed after late nights and overindulgences.
- Herbal tea – Soothing peppermint or ginger tea can help settle Santa’s stomach after one too many candy canes or slices of pie.
- Taking vitamins – Santa supplements with a standard multivitamin to help replenish nutrients.
With some discipline and restraint, Santa is able to thoroughly enjoy all of the delicious holiday foods and beverages while avoiding the pitfalls of overconsumption. A little moderation and self-care goes a long way!
Does Santa have a favorite holiday recipe?
Santa has centuries of experience baking and cooking, so he has accumulated countless cherished holiday recipes. One of his longtime favorites that he enjoys making every year is:
Santa’s Favorite Sugar Cookies
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Frosting and decorative sprinkles
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until smooth and creamy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Roll tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Flatten slightly.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until lightly browned on bottom.
- Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Frost cooled cookies and decorate with sprinkles as desired. Enjoy!
With a just the right balance of crunchy edges and a soft, chewy center, these easy sugar cookies are a perfect edible Christmas gift or Santa’s go-to homemade treat!
What does Mrs. Claus cook for Santa?
Behind every successful Santa is a generous, caring Mrs. Claus! To keep her husband well-fed for his Christmas duties, here are some of the delicious foods she prepares:
- Hearty breakfasts – Mrs. Claus wakes early to cook a protein-packed breakfast of eggs, ham, pancakes, fruit, and hot cocoa.
- Wholesome lunches – Lunches include turkey sandwiches, vegetable soup, garden salads, and oatmeal cookies.
- Comforting dinners – After long nights, Santa looks forward to dinner favorites like pot roast, mashed potatoes, chicken pot pie, and apple cobbler.
- Late night snacks – Knowing Santa will be hungry after deliveries, she leaves out cookies, milk, fruit, and candy.
- Care packages – Mrs. Claus packs Santa’s sleigh with tasty, non-perishable snacks like nuts, dried fruit, and crackers.
Mrs. Claus’s thoughtfulness and care goes a long way in fueling Santa for the demands of the holiday season. Her delicious food made with love keeps Santa in the Christmas spirit from morning to night!
Conclusion
Santa Claus has a diverse, hearty appetite thanks to his busy, active lifestyle and need to recharge with lots of energy for Christmas Eve present deliveries. While he loves indulging in holiday treats like gingerbread, hot cocoa, and candy canes, he balances these with fruits, vegetables, lean protein and lighter snacks to stay healthy. Santa enjoys cozy comfort foods, international holiday cuisine, festive beverages, and time-honored recipes passed down from Mrs. Claus. With his jolly spirit and many years of experience, Santa knows how to savor all the delicious flavors of the season while avoiding overindulgence.
