I know we all have a love/hate relationship with Thanksgiving!!! It’s the 1 holiday that everyone feels like it’s 100% OK to stuff themselves until they can’t move! HA!! While I know it may seem impossible to eat healthy on Thanksgiving, there are A LOT of healthy alternatives for the traditional Thanksgiving foods, that offer the same great tastes that we LOVE but with just a few tweaks to allow for a much healthier option! So I wanted to bring a few of these healthier options to your attention to make it a little easier for you to get thru this Thanksgiving!
Ohhhhhh the appetizers….we all love the appetizers!!! Between the dips, hor d’ouvres, spreads, etc. it’s enough to fill you up even before you get to the main course!!! The best way to limit yourself from overeating on appetizers? Take smaller portions, that way you can still have a taste but won’t fill up on just the appetizers! If you are planning to attend a Thanksgiving Day celebration, be sure to pick and choose carefully before dinner. If you must, fill up on light snacks so you don’t totally ruin your appetite by the time the bird hits the table!
OK so the turkey isn’t the BIG issue, it’s all those yummy side dishes that we gotta worry about!! Many Thanksgiving side dishes are built with enough ingredients to be a main meal by themselves. This is half of the fun; however, it can be very unhealthy. I have found 2 SUPER yummy but healthy alternatives for some of Thanksgivings favorite side dishes!! Check them out…..
These Glazed Yams will definitely satisfy that sweet potato craving for you!! http://www.teambeachbody.com/teambeachbodyblog/nutrition/glazed-yams-cinnamon-nutmeg
Next up we have stuffing, gotta have stuffing!! But it doesn't have to be loaded with carbs, check out this Quinoa Stuffing, you'll get that GREAT taste of stuffing without all the added carbs/calories!! http://www.teambeachbody.com/teambeachbodyblog/nutrition/quinoa-stuffing
Now that we got dinner outta the way there MUST be >>>>> dessert! Of course there will be Pumpkin Pie or it just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving right?! Well I found you a healthy alternative to pumpkin pie, heck you could even make it if you are hosting or take it to the family gathering you will be attending!! I’m sure no one will know the difference and it’ll be a HUGE hit!!
*Low-Fat Pumpkin Cake Bars*
For the Cake:
◦ 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
◦ 2/3 cup low-fat Greek yogurt
◦ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
◦ 4 egg whites
◦ 1 teaspoon baking soda
◦ 1 cup Stevia Sugar
◦ 3 teaspoons baking powder
◦ 2 cups all-purpose flour
◦ 1/2 teaspoon of salt or sea salt
◦ 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
◦ Cooking spray
For the frosting:
◦ 5 ounces light cream cheese
◦ 1 cup powdered sugar
◦ 1 teaspoon vanilla
◦ 1/4 cup toasted almonds, chopped
Directions:
1 To make the cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8 x 8-inch glass cake plate with cooking spray.
2 Mix pumpkin, yogurt, vanilla, egg whites and sugar well in a large mixing bowl. Once combined, add in baking soda, baking powder, flour, salt and pumpkin pie spice until fully mixed.
3 Bake for about 30 minutes, or until cake comes out dry when inserted with a toothpick.
4 To make the frosting: Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla together. Once cake has cooled, frost and garnish with toasted almonds.
ENJOY!!!
Remember the most important part of staying healthy at a Thanksgiving celebration is portion control regardless of what is served. Still, keeping the calorie count down on what goes into the food will benefit everyone involved. I hope these ideas/recipes help you make your Thanksgiving celebration a little healthier this year!!
-xoxoxoxoxo
Jenn
