LiveWell Louisiana

Host a Healthy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a day for family, friends and food. If you’re focusing on eating healthy, you don’t have to skip the best meal of the year!
October 28th, 2013 by: Winn-Dixie

Here are five tips and tricks to make the most out of your healthier Thanksgiving: 

  1. Whole Grain Stuffing
    Instead of making the traditional turkey stuffing out of bread, try substituting wild rice or bulgur. You’ll enjoy the same rich, filling taste while taking advantage of fewer calories and more whole grains.

  2. Seasonal Veggies
    Fall is the perfect time to enjoy seasonal vegetables like butternut and yellow squash, chard, wild mushrooms, parsnips, pumpkins and more. Simply chop, sauté in olive oil, season with herbs and spices and deck your table with colorful, healthy side dishes.

  3. Maple Sweet Potatoes
    Sweet potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple. If you normally treat your sweet potatoes to a brown sugar glaze and marshmallow topping, try a maple syrup glaze instead! You’ll cut out excess sugar, not sweetness.
     
  4. Portion Awareness
    Sometimes, we plan to eat to excess on Thanksgiving. Keep from feeling overstuffed by serving yourself golf ball-sized portions of everything you want to try. Give yourself 20 minutes to digest after eating. You can always go back for more if you’re still hungry.
     
  5. Fresh Fruit Dessert
    Alongside pie and ice cream, offer sliced fresh fruit, like peaches, apples, plums and pears. Try swapping out either a piece of pie or a scoop of ice cream for a serving of fruit.

    After you’re finished eating, step away from the table for a few minutes. Enjoy a walk around the block with your family and guests, or volunteer to help clean up. 

    By removing yourself from temptation, you’ll take the emphasis off eating and return it to celebration and gratitude — and that’s something we can all give thanks for.