Heading home for the holidays can cause anxiety for those of us who are trying to be more active and healthy. Maybe your family’s longstanding Thanksgiving tradition is to feast on rich foods and then veg out on the couch watching football. Even if that’s the case, you can change that or even start new healthy Thanksgiving traditions without sacrificing delicious food and precious family time.
With a little ingenuity and a couple clicks on Google, you can enjoy healthier versions of your all your favorite foods this year.
The turkey is generally the centerpiece, crowned jewel and arguably the healthiest aspect of many decadent Thanksgiving tables. Golden roasted to perfection, healthy turkey recipes are packed with delicious flavors from citrus and herbs to garlic and spice based on your preferences. You’ll never have to sacrifice flavor when preparing a golden roasted delicious turkey.
Whether your family calls it stuffing or dressing, the fact is, next to the turkey, it’s the biggest player on most holiday tables. You don’t need to sacrifice taste to make it a little healthier. Use whole grain bread, lentils, bulgur or wild rice instead of traditional white bread or baguettes. Add ghee, and lots of herbs, celery and onions, and your stuffing will explode with flavor.
Mix up your mashed potatoes with a little garlic and light sour cream instead of butter and heavy cream. Watch your family try to pinpoint these delicious new flavors.
Sweet potatoes are delicious, super healthy, and delightfully sweet even (especially) when they aren’t loaded down with brown sugar and marshmallow fluff. Try roasting with cinnamon and honey, or mashed up with ghee and a bit of real maple syrup and topped with roasted pecans. Or, you can always whip up some healthy marshmallow fluff.
But…the pumpkin pie. Yes, even the pumpkin pie can be prepared in a healthier way. Using almond or coconut milk instead of evaporated milk can help you save calories without sacrificing flavor. What going crust-free or making whole grain crust?
And since you won’t feel so guilty about all the unhealthy food you consumed, you can stay on track by incorporating some activity into your day. Start a healthy new tradition such as participating in a Turkey Trot as a family.
Organize an after-dinner walk, dodgeball game, or family football game. Or just encourage everyone to help clean up together so you’re all moving instead of flopping onto the couch and letting the tryptophan lull you into unconsciousness.
Maybe your family won’t want any part of your healthy Thanksgiving plan, and that’s okay too. You can still choose to eat healthy and take an after dinner walk or run. Chances are that if you set goals for yourself, keep a positive mindset, and lead by example someone will join you. And if not, you can be pleased with yourself for sticking to your plan.