Healthy Holidays: Our Favorite Recipe Swaps for a Figure-Friendly Thanksgiving Spread
Worried about post-holiday weight gain?
The holidays are a time to indulge, and enjoying your favorite foods this time of year is part of living life in healthy moderation. But sometimes swapping a bloat-inducing classic dish for a better-for-you swap can be just as enjoyable – and might even become a new family tradition!
Shake things up this year with these delicious and nutritious Thanksgiving recipe swaps.
At Moringa Natural Health, we have treatment plans for menopause and hormone imbalance. We personalize each plan according to each person’s unique biological makeup. Want to learn more about our treatment plans? Schedule your free appointment with Dr. Fernandez today!
3 Thanksgiving Recipe Swaps for a Healthier Holiday
- Swap green bean casserole with a fresh and vibrant green bean almondine.
Green bean casserole is a Thanksgiving classic – and a dish that would surely be missed if it didn’t show up on the dinner table. But while it technically counts as a vegetable-based side dish, the traditional version is made with canned soup, tinned fried onions, and lifeless canned green beans. These processed ingredients are high in sodium, fat, and sugar and contain little nutritional value.
There’s a better way to enjoy your green beans on Thanksgiving. You could simply swap the canned and processed items for a fresher, homemade version. Alternatively, skip the fatty canned soup and enjoy garlicky green beans with fried onions.
Or, why not try a new green bean dish this year? Green beans almondine is just as big a crowd-pleaser as the casserole. Plus, the addition of almonds adds healthy fat and keeps sodium and sugar levels low. - Swap turkey gravy with antioxidant-rich herby pesto.
Whether you make homemade gravy with turkey drippings or whisk up a bowl of gravy from powder, there are better options for your waistline (and your health). Gravy is typically made from high amounts of fat, flour, and salt. Not only do these lead to weight gain, but they ramp up inflammation, too. This can leave you feeling bloated, sluggish, and in pain long after the holiday weekend has passed.
The good news is that there are tons of alternatives to gravy at the Thanksgiving table. In essence, gravy brings moisture and flavor to more bland foods like turkey or potatoes. There are endless sauces and dips that can do the same thing while supporting your health instead of hurting it.
An herby pesto is a great choice because it’s packed with powerful antioxidants and healthy fat. While herbs like basil and rosemary support healthy digestion, garlic and shallot support your immune system.
Not a fan of basil pesto? Try a winter vegetable pesto with kale, carrot and yogurt puree, or muhammara to bring life to your Thanksgiving dinner plate.
- Swap sugary pies for light and decadent pumpkin mousse.
Pumpkin pie, pecan pie, chocolate pie…Thanksgiving wouldn’t be the same without a sweet treat to finish off the meal. But with these delicious desserts comes high amounts of sugar, saturated fat, and inflammatory additives – especially if you buy them at the store rather than make them yourself.
If anything is going to sabotage your healthy diet it is likely to be sugar. Not only does refined sugar fill you with empty calories, but it throws off your hormone balance, leads to insulin resistance, and leaves you wanting more and more.
This Thanksgiving, try making desserts that use natural sweeteners (like maple syrup) instead of refined white sugar. This vegan pumpkin mousse is the perfect alternative to heavy, sugary pumpkin pie. And because there’s no crust, eggs, or dairy, it’s a safe choice for nearly anyone at the table (and saves your figure, too!).
At Moringa Natural Health, we have treatment plans for menopause and hormone imbalance. We personalize each plan according to each person’s unique biological makeup. Want to learn more about our treatment plans? Schedule your free appointment with Dr. Fernandez today!
Need help staying on track with your diet, weight loss, or other health goals? The team at Moringa Natural Health Center is here to help. Request an appointment to get started today!
Much love,
Dr. Lena Fernandez
