Healthy Recipes for the Thanksgiving Table

When it comes to favorite Thanksgiving side dishes, stuffing is often at the top of the list! You may not realize there are ways to make your stuffing healthier while still making it a craveable Thanksgiving side dish. Instead of using packaged stuffing, make your own with whole grain ingredients like wheat bread, wild rice, farro or quinoa. Then add additional flavor and nutrients by including veggies like carrots, celery, onions or mushrooms. To give your stuffing a little something extra, add cranberries or a sprinkling of nuts and seeds. Then use low-sodium broth and herbs to give it a rich, moist flavor. Here are more ideas for making a healthy stuffing:

Sweet potatoes and cranberries are naturally sweet, so instead of loading them with more sugar, enjoy their natural flavors in a healthier Thanksgiving side dish. Mash sweet potatoes with pineapple tidbits or add some orange to your cranberry sauce to bring out more flavors in your dish. Here are more ideas for delectably sweet side dishes to  make for Thanksgiving:

While you don’t have to make vegetables the only food on your Thanksgiving plate, you should still have plenty of delicious veggie side dishes to tempt both you and your family into eating some of these low-calorie foods full of vitamins and nutrients. Create a medley of your favorite veggies, such as cauliflower, broccoli, squash, carrots, Brussels sprouts, parsnips and onions. Then drizzle with a bit of olive oil and fresh herbs before roasting in the oven for a colorful side to enjoy with your turkey. Here are more deliciously healthy vegetable side dishes to make for Thanksgiving:

Even if you’re trying to eat healthier, this star of the holiday table still has a place on your Thanksgiving plate! A good source of protein, turkey is low in calories and rich in amino acids, B vitamins, selenium, zinc and phosphorus. Whether you enjoy light meat or dark meat, as long as you skip eating the skin you can enjoy this Thanksgiving favorite. Here are some tips on how to prepare a turkey for roasting.

Homemade gravy is not only full of delicious taste, it’s also much better for you than jarred gravy. To make your own, once you remove the turkey from the roasting pan, skim the fat off the top of the pan drippings and add low-sodium broth and warm on low heat. Create a mix of broth and flour and whisk small amounts into the pan until the gravy thickens to the right consistency.

For many of us, the best part of any holiday meal is dessert! Whether you’re craving the flavor of apple or pumpkin, there are ways to enjoy this traditional holiday dessert without the extra calories and fat.  Go crustless, enjoy your dessert in a cup or even make a pudding. Here are some delicious (but healthy) dessert options to make for Thanksgiving: