Simple Thanksgiving Swaps for a Healthier Holiday Meal

By Brandi Koskie - senior editor at DietsInReview.com

Thanksgiving is equally as much about counting our blessings as it is indulging in great food. No one questions when you've filled your third plate with stuffing and pumpkin pie, no one asks why you consumed your weight in turkey and chose a nap over a walk, and no one laughs when you're most thankful for grandma's homemade macaroni and cheese.

So it's up to each of us to watch our own backs, and bellies, on Thanksgiving. And the one sure-fire place to avoid the calorie conundrum is to mindfully prepare your recipes for a healthy Thanksgiving.

1. Choose recipes that are rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein sources. Fresh or frozen vegetables are ideal; if choosing canned, be sure the sugar and sodium content is low.

Simple Thanksgiving Swaps:

> Instead of slathering fresh fruits with whipped cream for a fruit salad, drizzle with honey.
> Instead of baking vegetables soaked in butter, steam them or lightly toss in olive oil.
> Instead of serving white, starchy rolls, try a whole grain roll.

Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes:

Sweet Potatoes a l'Orange or Winter Vegetables

2. The turkey itself is a super food and offers a host of nutritional benefits, as long as you don't deep fry it or soak it in butter.

Simple Thanksgiving Swaps:

> Prepare a turkey breast instead of a full bird.
> Use fresh herbs, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and other seasonings and savor the natural flavors.
> Bake or roast the turkey rather than frying it.

Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes:

Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey Breast or Herb Turkey Sausage Stuffing

3. Avoid recipes that call for heavy cream, butter and loads of sugar. Those rich flavors directly correlate to high calories and fat.

Simple Thanksgiving Swaps:

> Thicken low-fat or fat-free milk with flour in place of heavy cream or half and half.
> Use real, unsalted butter in smaller doses, or replace with yogurt in recipes.
> Try all-natural sweeteners like stevia or honey.

Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes:

Diabetic Pumpkin Pie or Pecan Meringues

4. Be mindful of the appetizer and snack trays sitting around the house. These can either lead to a pre-meal calorie bender or offer guests a healthy snack to reduce the appetite.

Simple Thanksgiving Swaps:

> Fill platters with fresh fruits and vegetables, instead of cheese and meats.
> Swap fatty dips and cheeseballs for nutritious options like hummus, salsa or even yogurt.
> Nuts like almonds, pecans and walnuts are great replacements for peanuts or party mix.

Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes:

Spicy Cranberry Dip or Caramel Apple Dip

With these swaps, recipes, and being more mindful of how you're preparing foods, you'll be able to serve and enjoy all the traditional Thanksgiving favorites without breaking the bank on calories, fat and sugar.


Get more healthy Thanksgiving recipes and learn more about maintaining a healthy diet at DietsInReview.com.

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