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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)
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| 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)
.png "cranberry chuteny vegan , gluten-free")
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 ?
I am waiting for the main course :-))
ReplyDeleteIts coming,, I'm making mushrooms and onion with gravy over tofu...
DeleteWe have simplified and lightened up our Thanksgiving meal and eat everything in moderation. I make our cranberry sauce with honey and orange, and I see you added apple, which does sound really good. We have never liked green bean casserole but garlic green beans.
ReplyDeleteI hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving to you too... Lightening up is the way to go.
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving. You have shared some wonderful recipes. Leek and Brussels Sprout soup sounds especially interesting!
ReplyDeleteIt's a perfect fall soup for Thanksgiving.
DeleteThanks for the wonderful recipe ideas. We eat a kidney friendly diet so our TG will be healthy. Have a nice week and Happy Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great roundup, Judee. Lots of fresh, healthy and vibrant ideas for the holiday table.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great roundup, Judee. Lots of fresh, healthy and vibrant ideas for the holiday table.
ReplyDeleteToo much fat and salt can shorten your life. I try to lighten my dishes and use whole foods when I can. Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteSo many brilliant ideas. The carrot salad is looking good.
ReplyDeleteI love your feel good, yet festive Thanksgiving recipes. The carrot salad with cranberries is absolutely perfect and your simple roasted vegetable tray feels so extravagant. I am definitely going to try and work on portion control this holiday season. That way I can celebrate, but without any regrets.
ReplyDeleteThe Leek and Brussels Sprout Soip has caught my eye! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteThose chocolate covered pretzels look really good. The green bean salad looks simple and delicious. I love almonds added to dishes. My son just baked some butternut squash, and found a recipe that was good. I smiled at the cranberry sauce because I've looked at places for the whole berries, and none of the stores have them, and I prefer them to the cranberry sauce. I'll check one more place before Thanksgiving. I hope you have a very nice Thanksgiving. All these foods is making me hungry. ; )
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Such a helpful reminder that Thanksgiving can be both delicious and healthy. I especially like the creative twists like acorn squash soup and cider-glazed butternut squash—makes me want to try them all! 😋
ReplyDeleteFantastic. Thank you so much for sharing ❤️
ReplyDeleteI've never thought to add up the calories in the Thanksgiving meal, but yeah! And let's not forget that a lot of people - me included - has second helpings of just about everything! I mean, it's an all-day eat-fest!
ReplyDeleteThose are excellent and wonderful suggestions. The cider glazed butternut squash looks really yummy!
ReplyDeleteyes...there are so many things to be thankful for, i am thankful for you!! what a spread and everything looks so delicious BUT our family never thinks of healthy food on thanksgiving, we go all out = copious amounts of butter!!
ReplyDeleteI like how this makes healthy eating feel approachable rather than restrictive. Those swaps, like baked sweet potatoes, roasted veggies, and acorn squash soups, still sound festive and comforting without the extra stress on your body. It’s a nice reminder that you can enjoy the holiday flavors and still come away feeling good, not sluggish.
ReplyDeleteI like how this frames healthy eating as a celebration rather than a restriction. Those side dish ideas baked sweet potatoes, roasted vegetables, and acorn squash soups still comforting and festive without weighing you down. It’s a nice reminder that small swaps can make a big difference, letting you enjoy all the flavors of Thanksgiving while staying mindful of your health.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, these look really good and so healthy :-D
ReplyDeleteThese all look good but that green bean salad has me very excited! It's beautiful and looks delish!
ReplyDeleteWhat a stellar menu! I'll take one of each, please! :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE me anything cranberry!
ReplyDeleteThese are all great ways to indulge in something a little sweet, but on the healthy side. My daughter would be all over the green bean salad!
ReplyDeletehappy thanksgiving Judee! Cranberry chutney looks great! Not that we can get them here very readily - only frozen ones if we are lucky!
ReplyDeletesherry
This looks so good. Thank you for sharing this recipe. Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteI’m not a fan of pie, so I made a light pumpkin mousse and served it in little pumpkin-shaped ramekins. We all enjoyed it, and it was just enough sweet without being calorie-laden.
ReplyDelete