6 Ways to Make Your Thanksgiving Healthy
1. Skip or Skim the Gravy: The easiest way to make the holiday healthier is to bypass gravy. But that's a tough option for many of the holiday's fans. So try a gravy strainer to separate fat from pan juices. We like the four-cup Oxo Good Grips model ($15). Pour the pan juices in, let the fat rise to the top, and you're ready to go. This gadget is also great for removing the fat from stocks when making soups.
2. Control Portions: Serving size is the secret to not packing on the pounds, especially this time of year. Have a healthy snack about two hours before the big feast to ensure that you're not starving when you come face-to-face with the big bird. Try using a smaller plate. Eat slowly, and go easy on the wine--it will increase your appetite.
3. Eat Your Veggies: Offer light sides in addition to (or instead of) creamy, buttery dishes. Try our Carrot and Cranberry Salad with Fresh Ginger Dressing--a wonderful compliment to rich foods. This Wild Rice and Mushroom Stuffing is a healthful alternative to heavy bread stuffing. Skip super-sugary cranberry sauce in favor of this Beet Chutney. Our Sauteed Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Currants and Chestnuts recipe is packed with nutrients.
4. Go with the Grain: Serve whole grain breads to sop it all up. Whole wheat flour contains fewer calories and carbs, and much more protein, fiber, calcium, iron, potassium, and phosphorus than refined white flour. Try our Multi-Grain Dinner Rolls, Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls, or Dipping Biscuits made with whole wheat flour.
5. Be Sweet. With your potatoes, that is. Sweet potatoes have more fiber and less calories than russets. And despite their saccharine name, they may help regulate blood sugar levels. Be careful not to choose a sweet potato recipe with a lot of heavy cream or butter. Our Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, and Sage recipe is a good choices.
6. Lighten Up Dessert. What is Thanksgiving without a pumpkin pie, apple crisp, or pecan tart? Delicious--as long as you have the recipe for our Cranberry and Vanilla Bean Sorbet--a clean, bright dessert that makes a great finish to any meal. Bonus: It can be prepared days ahead.
Related:7 Most Common Turkey Emergencies (and How to Fix Them)
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