Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Lighter Versions of Your Holiday Favorites

Why not start a new Thanksgiving tradition by making your favorite traditional holiday recipes a little healthier. 

We all would like to be thankful for better health- Right?  Healthier holiday eating is a good way to get started. As Ghandi said, "Be The Change You Want to See" 

The Hidden Dangers of traditional "Holiday Recipes"

Did you know that Thanksgiving dinner is one of the most fattening meals of the year — but few people realize just how much that one feast can affect their health. A traditional holiday plate loaded with buttery mashed potatoes, sugary casseroles, gravy, and pie can easily add up to 3,000 to 4,500 calories in a single sitting. That’s more than many people need in two full days and it may actually be harmful for those with existing health issues.

For anyone with diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, a high fat, high sugar, and high salt meal can have noticeable effects. A high-sodium, high-sugar, and high-fat holiday meal can cause dangerous blood sugar spikes, raise blood pressure, and strain the heart within hours. Even one day of binging for those with existing conditions, may trigger holiday health risks that shouldn’t be ignored.

Large portions of refined carbs, added sugars, and saturated fats cause the body to release a surge of insulin, often followed by a post-meal energy crash — that familiar sleepy, “I can’t move” feeling after dinner. For people managing diabetes or heart disease, that sudden overload puts extra stress on the body’s systems and can interfere with blood sugar and blood pressure control.

Eating well during the holidays isn’t about restriction; it’s about balance, mindfulness, and celebrating food that nourishes rather than harms. Healthy food can absolutely be comfort food — it just starts with a few smart choices and simple swaps.

You can do it- and you should do it. It just takes a little planning, consciousness, and determination. 

Here are some healthy ideas: 

Baked Sweet Potatoes drizzled with maple syrup  

Green Bean Salad (recipe link)

Sweet Grated Carrot Salad with Cranberries and Cashews (link)

Sweet and Juicy made with an Orange, Apple and Lime dressing

Leek and Brussels Sprout Soup  (link to recipe)

Roasted Chestnut Mushroom Soup (Recipe Link)

Acorn Squash As a Tureen for soup (link to recipe)

Cranberry Apple Chutney (link)

Cider Glazed Butternut Squash (link to recipe)

Simple roasted vegetable tray

Easy Homemade Whole Cranberry Sauce  (link)

Wishing everyone good health and good planning for Thanksgiving this year. Have you modified any of your traditional recipes to make them healthier? What type of things to you do ?