{"id":6084,"date":"2023-11-26T20:17:18","date_gmt":"2023-11-27T03:17:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/howtobefit.com\/coach-blog\/?p=6084"},"modified":"2024-11-29T12:13:10","modified_gmt":"2024-11-29T19:13:10","slug":"recipe-swaps-for-a-healthier-thanksgiving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/howtobefit.com\/coach-blog\/2023\/11\/26\/recipe-swaps-for-a-healthier-thanksgiving\/","title":{"rendered":"Recipe Swaps for a Healthy Thanksgiving"},"content":{"rendered":"
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With these recipe swaps, Thanksgiving dinner will have plenty of naturally delicious and totally healthy foods and favorite dishes for a healthier Thanksgiving<\/a>.<\/p>\n

When you think about Thanksgiving dinner, you probably picture buttery biscuits, yams dripping with maple syrup, creamy mashed potatoes, and crisp apple pies, and, oh yeah, turkey\u2026 all followed crashing hard on the couch.<\/p>\n

But Thanksgiving dinner doesn\u2019t have to leave you feeling uncomfortably stuffed.<\/p>\n

\"Recipe<\/p>\n

What Are Healthy Recipe Swaps at Thanksgiving Dinner?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Plenty of foods at Thanksgiving start off healthy, but as\u00a0Jodi Geigle, board-certified nutritionist<\/a>\u00a0says, \u201cIf you\u2019re adding cream, butter, flour, marshmallows, and gravy to these foods, the \u2018health\u2019 factor kinda goes out the window.\u201d<\/p>\n

For instance, turkey, the star of every Thanksgiving dinner has tons of nutritional benefits; it\u2019s rich in protein and is a great source of\u00a0potassium, iron, and vitamin B6<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But turkey skin is high in fat and calories and becomes even more so if you grease your bird with butter or oil.<\/p>\n

For a healthier option, try this flavorful recipe for\u00a0citrus-herb roasted turkey<\/a>\u00a0and eat skinless slices to get the protein without the fat.<\/p>\n

Other healthy options? All the fruits and veggies that make up the cornucopia of the Thanksgiving dinner table.<\/p>\n

From sweet potatoes and cranberries to green beans and brussels sprouts, there\u2019s actually a wide array of delicious foods to choose from.<\/p>\n

Sweet potatoes add a welcome splash of color and are high in\u00a0vitamin A, vitamin B6, and beta-carotene<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Green beans and brussels sprouts are both\u00a0packed with dietary fiber<\/a>, and cranberries have almost 5 grams of fiber per cup!<\/p>\n

How to Modify Traditional Thanksgiving Dishes<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you want to swap your grandmother\u2019s famous green bean casserole for a lighter side dish, but don\u2019t want to sacrifice taste, don\u2019t fret.<\/p>\n

There are so many innovative, delicious ways to recreate your favorite foods.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany traditional recipes have a plethora of \u2018cleaned-up\u2019 versions that provide subtle ingredient swaps which aren\u2019t that noticeable in taste, but can have a big impact on the overall health and nutrition factor,\u201d says Geigle.<\/p>\n

She recommends looking for simple recipes that use fewer heavy ingredients such as butter, cream, and flour. \u201cYou may even want to experiment with swapping out traditional recipes for totally new ones,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n

You can replace mashed potatoes with a\u00a0cauliflower mash<\/a>\u00a0made from olive oil and cauliflower.<\/p>\n

Or nix the sugary sweet potato and marshmallow concoction in favor of a flavorful, veggie-hearty side. \u201cRoast sweet potatoes, brussels, and beets for a sweet, caramelized dish that utilizes the natural sweetness found in root veggies,\u201d says Geigle.<\/p>\n

Below are a few more easy swaps you can make to keep your Thanksgiving dinner healthy, satisfying, and still as mouthwatering as ever.<\/p>\n

13 Healthier Recipe Swaps for Thanksgiving<\/strong><\/h2>\n