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

• Vanilla Bean Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole with Crunchy Pecan Oat Topping by Well Plated

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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