Thanksgiving foods?

ourtruelovewillneverdie

What are some good sites to find healthier alternatives to the normal thanksgiving day foods? I am cooking at home for about 16-18 people and some are diabetic or , like me, healthier eaters and others are not. I don't mind making two versions of the same thing because I want to lighten some things up to help me stay on track.

KylaDenay

eatingwell.com
pinterest
foodnetwork.com
ivillage.com
tasteofhome.com


.... or google.com

bellaa_x0

skinnytaste.com

Showcase_Brodown

There's always the turkey. And usually a good spread of veggies. What's wrong with that?

Need2Exerc1se

turkey is both low calorie and healthy. What foods are looking for alternatives to?

If you typically serve mashed potatoes you can do 1/3 potatoes, 1/3 turnips, 1/3 cauliflower and cut the carbs and calories significantly, but still have that potato flavor everyone expects.

jasonmh630

Dressing/Stuffing... Cranberries... Green Bean Casserole... Pumpkin pie... Pecan pie... Those are healthy Thanksgiving foods.

Need2Exerc1se

jasonmh630 wrote: »

Dressing/Stuffing... Cranberries... Green Bean Casserole... Pumpkin pie... Pecan pie... Those are healthy Thanksgiving foods.

Not for diabetics they aren't, at least not all of them.

ourtruelovewillneverdie

Need2Exerc1se wrote: »

turkey is both low calorie and healthy. What foods are looking for alternatives to?

If you typically serve mashed potatoes you can do 1/3 potatoes, 1/3 turnips, 1/3 cauliflower and cut the carbs and calories significantly, but still have that potato flavor everyone expects.

Sweet potato casserole, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, green bean casserole. I am going to make regular versions and healthy of versions of pretty much everything hopefully. For the ones that are diabetic I'm looking to cut a lot of the sugar. For instance, I make cranberry sauce normally with orange juice, cinnamon, 1cup sugar, and fresh cranberries. Not so good for being diabetic. I'm making a low carb pumpkin pie and some other friendly desserts, like ice cream for them, so I'm good on that front.

Need2Exerc1se

ourtruelovewillneverdie wrote: »

Need2Exerc1se wrote: »

turkey is both low calorie and healthy. What foods are looking for alternatives to?

If you typically serve mashed potatoes you can do 1/3 potatoes, 1/3 turnips, 1/3 cauliflower and cut the carbs and calories significantly, but still have that potato flavor everyone expects.

Sweet potato casserole, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, green bean casserole. I am going to make regular versions and healthy of versions of pretty much everything hopefully. For the ones that are diabetic I'm looking to cut a lot of the sugar. For instance, I make cranberry sauce normally with orange juice, cinnamon, 1cup sugar, and fresh cranberries. Not so good for being diabetic. I'm making a low carb pumpkin pie and some other friendly desserts, like ice cream for them, so I'm good on that front.

Would baked, roasted or mashed sweet potatoes (savory instead of sweet) and just green beans, instead of the casserole not go over well?

Could you make the cranberry sauce with an artifical sweetener?

NikonPal

Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes, Menus and Cooking Tips -

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/collections/thanksgiving_collection_1

RamonaFr

Make green beans, steamed until tender, instead of green bean casserole. Make some roasted beets or roasted sweet potatoes instead of sweetened marshmallowy sweet potatoes. Don't put any butter or oil into the dressing/stuffing, it tastes very good without it. Use as much veggies (onion, celery, mushrooms, water chestnuts, celery root -- anything crispy) as bread crumbs in the stuffing. Make colcannon instead of mashed potatoes, which just means to cook potatoes, shredded cabbage and shredded leeks separately in chicken broth until tender, and mash it all together with some of the broth. Heat in the oven just before dinner with a light sprinkling of cheese. Serve the cranberry sauce in a small bowl with a small spoon, so people take less. Make pumpkin custard instead of pumpkin pie.

Acg67

ourtruelovewillneverdie wrote: »

What are some good sites to find healthier alternatives to the normal thanksgiving day foods? I am cooking at home for about 16-18 people and some are diabetic or , like me, healthier eaters and others are not. I don't mind making two versions of the same thing because I want to lighten some things up to help me stay on track.

There is nothing inherently unhealthy about any traditional thanksgiving dishes. And self proclaiming yourself as a "healthier" eater sounds like you're trying to sound superior to everyone else

DamitJanit

I don't think because you don't want all the usual Thanksgiving calories, makes you sound like a "self proclaimed healthier eater". Many veggies are actually better baked in the oven. I use McCormick's seasoning on most. I also say a dish on TV today that had sweet potatoes and squash cubed and baked. It looked yummy. Good luck and healthy eating.

Tigg_er

Well that was really helpful.

@DamitJanit The post above yours is what I responded to .

ourtruelovewillneverdie

Acg67 wrote: »

ourtruelovewillneverdie wrote: »

What are some good sites to find healthier alternatives to the normal thanksgiving day foods? I am cooking at home for about 16-18 people and some are diabetic or , like me, healthier eaters and others are not. I don't mind making two versions of the same thing because I want to lighten some things up to help me stay on track.

There is nothing inherently unhealthy about any traditional thanksgiving dishes. And self proclaiming yourself as a "healthier" eater sounds like you're trying to sound superior to everyone else

Well aren't you helpful and a tool!

Acg67

ourtruelovewillneverdie wrote: »

Acg67 wrote: »

ourtruelovewillneverdie wrote: »

What are some good sites to find healthier alternatives to the normal thanksgiving day foods? I am cooking at home for about 16-18 people and some are diabetic or , like me, healthier eaters and others are not. I don't mind making two versions of the same thing because I want to lighten some things up to help me stay on track.

There is nothing inherently unhealthy about any traditional thanksgiving dishes. And self proclaiming yourself as a "healthier" eater sounds like you're trying to sound superior to everyone else

Well aren't you helpful and a tool!

Strong name calling, but let's actually tackle the issue. Do we eat foods in isolation or do we have to take into consideration how they fit into the total context of one's diet? Do you not think labeling foods is healthy or unhealthy is ignorant since there is no context?

GiveMeCoffee

ourtruelovewillneverdie wrote: »

Need2Exerc1se wrote: »

turkey is both low calorie and healthy. What foods are looking for alternatives to?

If you typically serve mashed potatoes you can do 1/3 potatoes, 1/3 turnips, 1/3 cauliflower and cut the carbs and calories significantly, but still have that potato flavor everyone expects.

Sweet potato casserole, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, green bean casserole. I am going to make regular versions and healthy of versions of pretty much everything hopefully. For the ones that are diabetic I'm looking to cut a lot of the sugar. For instance, I make cranberry sauce normally with orange juice, cinnamon, 1cup sugar, and fresh cranberries. Not so good for being diabetic. I'm making a low carb pumpkin pie and some other friendly desserts, like ice cream for them, so I'm good on that front.

I make cranberry sauce all the time with sugar, my husband is diabetic, he eats a portion of it with no problem. They can like everyone else eat in moderation and enjoy all the same good foods.

My pumpkin pie will have lard in the crust, sugar and everything else I have always done.

If I was coming to your house for Thanksgiving and you served me turnips and cauliflower I don't think I would speak to you again. It's a holiday that is meant to be enjoyed by everyone.

Cranquistador

Now I want pie.

GiveMeCoffee

Cranquistador wrote: »

Now I want pie.

redpandora56

this thread makes me sad its once a year, just have a smaller portion of the things you think are 'unhealthy' and a larger portion of the turkey/salad/veg since those are almost always an option. by 'unhealthy' i can only assume you actually mean to say 'high calorie' and making slightly lower calorie versions of foods and eating big piles won't really save you many calories in the long run. So just have a bit less and enjoy it.

sjohnny

Did all of these people just catch the diabeetus in the past year? What did y'all do last year? I'd think whatever they ate last year will probably be fine this year.

smittybuilt19

Need2Exerc1se wrote: »

turkey is both low calorie and healthy. What foods are looking for alternatives to?

If you typically serve mashed potatoes you can do 1/3 potatoes, 1/3 turnips, 1/3 cauliflower and cut the carbs and calories significantly, but still have that potato flavor everyone expects.

Yes, yes, Yes.

Personally, on holidays known for large meals, I will get one plate full of meats and veggies (however much I can fit on the one plate), and one full plate of desserts (dessert size plate). I stuck to that the first year I was on MFP and it worked incredibly well, the second year I decided to let loose and I still have about 10 lbs to show for it..oops. I'll be back to the original plan this year.

firstsip

I'm a "healthier" eater, too. But I eat goddamn Thanksgiving. Don't let the terrorists win.

lemurcat12

ourtruelovewillneverdie wrote: »

What are some good sites to find healthier alternatives to the normal thanksgiving day foods? I am cooking at home for about 16-18 people and some are diabetic or , like me, healthier eaters and others are not. I don't mind making two versions of the same thing because I want to lighten some things up to help me stay on track.

Most Thanksgiving food is basically diet-friendly food to which lots of butter or other high calorie ingredients (like bacon) is added. I've done lower calorie Thanksgivings in the past (when many of the guests were in favor of that) and I have often done Thanksgivings where you have options, in part because I like the lower-calorie version of some of the foods better (I like roasted sweet potatoes and don't care for marshmallows at all, so I never have eaten the traditional holiday sweet potato dish my family used to have).

For example, turkey is totally diet/health friendly, just don't add or go light on the gravy.

Mashed potatoes don't have to have butter and cream added--make garlic mashed potatoes and let people add their own butter to taste.

Roasted sweet potatoes are something I have a couple times a week as part of my regular plan.

In addition to creamed spinach, maybe spinach salad with a vinegar and mustard based dressing option or just oil and vinegar.

Instead of green bean casserole, I like to make green beans with some dill and pinenuts or walnuts--still kind of fancy, but fewer calories, and nuts are healthy (though the calories can add up).

You can roast some Brussels sprouts with just a spray of olive oil and some salt in addition or in lieu of the usual Brussels and bacon dish that is common.

Roasted fall veggies are always appropriate--some mix of carrots, turnips, parsnips, and celeriac, maybe with the roasted sweet potatoes. This also can serve as a substitute for the mashed potatoes for some.

Maybe a savory winter squash option, like roasted acorn squash with just a bit of butter? You can add some pie-like spice too if you want, although I don't prefer that.

You can make some kind of dish with fresh cranberries rather than the canned jell stuff.

I also like to do dessert options that allow people to have dessert without going whole hog. I've made pumpkin and cranberry ice cream (you can do a lighter yogurt based one too), and a winter squash based flan thing, although these usually take more experimentation, and may not be worth it since if people are going to indulge in dessert (as I do) I bet they'll want the traditional stuff.

dopeysmelly

Maybe for dishes which really would be noticeably less pleasant if tampered with (I'm thinking cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie etc.) then stick with the traditional recipe, but mention it to your guests so they know to go easy if they choose, but maybe go with healthier versions of some of the others, like steaming or roasting vegetables instead of doing a casserole, and just making sure there are more vegetables in general. I always do roast (with canola oil) or baked potatoes, since mashed potato isn't popular in my house. You can always ask some of your guests to bring fresh fruit or nuts with them as well.

Personally, I think it's wonderful that you are thinking of how to upgrade the Thanksgiving meal. I also think it's perfectly fine to ask your guests to help out and be just as responsible for their own health as you are.

parkscs

Personally I don't mind or see a problem with altering some of the traditional Thanksgiving dishes, but I tend to just make other dishes rather than modified versions of traditional dishes. I'd say just have a balance of rich and lighter dishes, rather than just all rich dishes like many people prepare. Or if binging is your thing for Thanksgiving, it's only one day... But, just my opinion, I don't see the point and I'm happier having a reasonable meal with family. The point of the holiday isn't to eat generic food in massive amounts.

cwolfman13

I would consider most of what gets put on the table for a Thanksgiving feast pretty "healthy"...it's just that people eat *kitten* loads of it.

I don't know...my traditional Thanksgiving seems to have a lot of lean protein, veggies of all manner, nice carb sources like sweet potatoes, etc...I'm not seeing the issue here.

PRMinx

cwolfman13 wrote: »

I would consider most of what gets put on the table for a Thanksgiving feast pretty "healthy"...it's just that people eat *kitten* loads of it.

I don't know...my traditional Thanksgiving seems to have a lot of lean protein, veggies of all manner, nice carb sources like sweet potatoes, etc...I'm not seeing the issue here.

This. If anything, it's the nibbles we have as a family before the meal while everyone is gathering. And the alcohol. And the dessert.

If I showed up to Thanksgiving dinner and everything was low fat, low cal....I'd be pretty disappointed. It's one day. Stay on top of your plan every other day in November, get a workout in, and you will be fine.

KylaDenay

GiveMeCoffee wrote: »

ourtruelovewillneverdie wrote: »

Need2Exerc1se wrote: »

turkey is both low calorie and healthy. What foods are looking for alternatives to?

If you typically serve mashed potatoes you can do 1/3 potatoes, 1/3 turnips, 1/3 cauliflower and cut the carbs and calories significantly, but still have that potato flavor everyone expects.

Sweet potato casserole, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, green bean casserole. I am going to make regular versions and healthy of versions of pretty much everything hopefully. For the ones that are diabetic I'm looking to cut a lot of the sugar. For instance, I make cranberry sauce normally with orange juice, cinnamon, 1cup sugar, and fresh cranberries. Not so good for being diabetic. I'm making a low carb pumpkin pie and some other friendly desserts, like ice cream for them, so I'm good on that front.

I make cranberry sauce all the time with sugar, my husband is diabetic, he eats a portion of it with no problem. They can like everyone else eat in moderation and enjoy all the same good foods.

My pumpkin pie will have lard in the crust, sugar and everything else I have always done.

If I was coming to your house for Thanksgiving and you served me turnips and cauliflower I don't think I would speak to you again. It's a holiday that is meant to be enjoyed by everyone.

Yes this! I didn't even think about it. I guess cause my mother now lives in Australia, but she is diabetic. Takes her insulin shot every day. ....She eats whatever she wants even has wine and alcohol. She just does not eat too much of the food she shouldn't. She eats it in moderately small portions. My mother would look at me with a nasty face and ask me where the real food was.