Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes and Alternative Ideas
Oh Thanksgiving…the day of football games, family visiting, and what seems to be an endless supply of food. For most of us, we know Thanksgiving as the one day a year we literally feel stuffed like a turkey from all the foods provided. As a child, it was always a competition to see who could eat the most. I always lost at eating the most, but I could certainly eat a lot. By a lot, probably more than a human needs to consume in a single day times three. Now as an adult, I try very hard to teach my children healthy eating habits, as well as model those habits myself. Sometimes it is easier than other times, but I try to provide healthy foods for my family during the holiday seasons as well. My goal is always to provide natural yet tasty foods.
Toddlers are the worst food critics! I rely heavily on hiding flavors, adjusting colors, and at times pure lies to get my kids to eat healthy. I do always offer healthy choices but like it is with other kids, they see those dreaded veggies, where no matter how I present them, they get denied. As part of healthy eating, I scour the internet for any and all recipes. I also buy up cookbooks at as many yard sales and thrift stores as possible in hopes of adding variety into our meal plan.
If you plan on incorporating a large spread of foods for Thanksgiving and are also looking for healthy options, well I did the hard work for you. I have compiled a joyous list of many of the Thanksgiving classics with an alternative healthy twist. If you have guests that may be diabetic, gluten-free, or perhaps just enjoy healthy eating options, I promise these recipes will add some excitement to your Thanksgiving meal.
ALTERNATIVE STUFFING RECIPES
- Simple Vegan Stuffing by The Minimalist Baker
- Grain Free Stuffing by Detoxinista
ALTERNATIVE CRANBERRY SAUCE RECIPE
- The Best Easy Vegan Cranberry Sauce by It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken
ALTERNATIVE GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE RECIPE
- Lemon Dill Green Beans by Eating Well
HEALTHY TURKEY RUB RECIPE
- Savory Herb Rub Roasted Turkey by McCormick
ALTERNATIVE DINNER ROLLS RECIPE
- Pull Apart Dinner Rolls (Gluten Free) by My Gluten Free Kitchen
ALTERNATIVE TURKEY GRAVY RECIPE
- Low Fat Turkey Gravy by The Yummy Life
ALTERNATIVE SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE RECIPE
ALTERNATIVE PUMPKIN PIE RECIPE
- Skinny Pumpkin Pie by Skinny Taste
From my family to yours, I hope you have a Happy (& Healthy) Thanksgiving this year! Let us know in the comments if you have other go-to healthy options for Thanksgiving for us to try!
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