8 Ways to Skip Thanksgiving Weight Gain

The Editors at Sharecare
You'd don't have to sacrifice flavor to trim calories and fat from your Thanksgiving feast.
You'd don't have to sacrifice flavor to trim calories and fat from your Thanksgiving feast.

Does Thanksgiving have you loosening your belt before the pumpkin pie is served? You're not alone: The average American gobbles a whopping 3,500 calories on Turkey Day. These eight steps will save you more than 2,000 calories and put a healthy spin on the feast.

1. Ask for white meat. Turkey breast is super lean: just 44 calories, 1 gram of fat, and no saturated fat per skinless ounce (yep, leave the skin behind). Plus, the big bird is a great source of iron, zinc, potassium, and B vitamins.

Watch this video for tips to roast a perfect bird.

2. Make low-fat gravy. It's easy to slash the fat in traditional gravy. Pour the drippings from the roasting pan into a measuring cup, and pop it in the freezer for about 15 minutes. The fat will rise to the top so you can skim it away and use the tasty juices to make your gravy.

3. Stuff the bird with whole grains. Try the slightly nutty flavor of quinoa, wild rice pilaf, bulgur, or even barley. You won't save calories, but you'll gain iron, magnesium, selenium, B vitamins, antioxidants, and loads of satisfying fiber so you're less inclined to overindulge.

4. Make your owncranberry sauce.

Homemade cranberry sauce trumps the canned stuff for flavor and nutrition.
Homemade cranberry sauce trumps the canned stuff for flavor and nutrition.

Cranberries are chock-full of antioxidants. But skip the canned sauces, which are jammed with added sugar (about 44 grams and 170 calories per inch-thick slice). Instead, try this easy fresh Pear Cranberry Sauce for only 80 calories per one-third cup.

5. Give green beans a makeover. The traditional green bean casserole is tasty. It's also a calorie (and sodium) bomb. Instead, boil fresh beans for 2 minutes or until just tender. Then toss them with toasted almonds or hazelnuts and a touch of olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper.

6. Stick with sweet potatoes. Golden sweet potatoes have twice the fiber of standard spuds. They're also a great source of vitamin A and manganese, a mineral that helps your body metabolize fat and carbohydrates. Try this light yet indulgent Meringue-Topped Sweet Potato Casserole.

7. Watchthose liquid calories. Even tiny trimmings add up. Stretch one glass of white wine (about 120 calories) to two by mixing it with sparkling water (half of each) for a white wine spritzer.

When it comes to dessert, the pumpkin pie is a good option.
When it comes to dessert, the pumpkin pie is a good option.



8. Save room for pie. Faced with a dessert buffet? Choose wisely. A slice of traditional pumpkin pie has 316 calories, compared to apple (411) or pecan (503). You can trim another 125 calories and 7 grams of fat by forgoing the crust - if you must.

Get more health tips from RealAge:

Take the new RealAge Test to find out how many candles really belong on your birthday cake.

Use this personalized calorie counter to find out how many calories you really need.

Sip this soothing beverage to protect your teeth.

The holidays are especially hard for when you have this condition.

Here's an easy way to keep an eye on those portions.