Major retailers have their decorations already set for the next holiday: Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and showing your gratitude. Many of us have the chance to go home for the holiday and spend it with a nice meal at the table with the ones we love. Although we all savor Thanksgiving favorites like turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie, we also know that our bodies might not be as appreciative. What better way to celebrate such a warm holiday than to add a few healthier ingredients while still cooking a delicious Thanksgiving dinner.
Here are some tips on how to cut the calories but keep your favorite dishes!
Turkey: The leanest part of a turkey is the turkey breast. Prepare the turkey with skin, but take off the skin prior to serving (it has no nutritional value and is very high in fat). A good way to save calories on marinating the turkey is to use fresh herbs and lemon slices (placed under the skin while it cooks). You can roast the turkey in turkey stock or chicken stock with olive oil, garlic, mushrooms, or celery to keep the meat moist.
Cranberry Sauce: Rather than using the store-bought sugary cranberry sauce, create your own with fresh ingredients that will both look elegant and bring a new taste to the table. My favorite trick in any recipe (like the one found for this cranberry marmalade—link included below) is to substitute Splenda for sugar. It includes ingredients such as cinnamon, nutmeg, dried cherries, cranberries, walnuts, and orange zest.
Mashed Potatoes: Mash up cauliflower in the amount of about ¼ of the entire portion of potatoes. When mashed, cauliflower blends in with the taste of mashed potatoes. You’re adding a vegetable, all while preserving taste and eliminating calories.
Pumpkin Pie: You are already saving calories by choosing pumpkin instead of pecan. However, the biggest concern with pie is portion control. Try making individualized maple-pumpkin custard cups. The recipe—included below—features pumpkin puree, maple syrup (which can be substituted for low-cal kind), cinnamon, nutmeg, and whipped cream (optional on top).
As November goes on, keep a lookout for more healthy recipes and get ready for a hearty, yet healthy Thanksgiving!
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/238096.php
http://www.livestrong.com/article/246400-low-calorie-thanksgiving-diets/
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/maple_pumpkin_custards_with_crystallized_ginger.html
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/cranberry_cherry_walnut_marmalade.html