Stay on Track with Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes

Diet Success

November 18, 2011 at 2:49 pm
by Irina Gonzalez

I was at my usual Weight Watchers meeting this week and we were talking about the same thing that everyone else is talking about: Thanksgiving.

Everywhere I go people are talking about the food holiday: How are you making your turkey? What are your favorite dishes? When are you serving dessert? You love to talk about it so much that we even held a special Thanksgiving Chat where our assistant food editor Melissa answered all of your burning questions, shared tips and suggested recipes for the big day.

healthy thanksgiving recipes

The thing I haven’t heard much about (except at my Weight Watchers meeting) is the concern over how to keep things healthy.

I know we all like to indulge. I’m a big believer in moderation. Sometimes that means eating less healthy than usual, like on Birthdays, Holidays and other special occasions. But I wouldn’t be able to keep off 100lbs if I wasn’t indulging in a smart way.

What does that mean? Well, I’ve spent the last week looking at some of the great Thanksgiving recipes on Family Circle. Pre-planning big meals helps me to stay healthy because I can figure out where to spend my calories.

Planning far in advance also allows me to put together a healthier meal. After searching through our collection of Thanksgiving recipes, I found some great ones that are healthier options of some of the classics. Take a look at some Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes:

Healthy Turkey:
Heritage Turkey with Cran-Orange Glaze

Healthy Stuffing:
Bulgur Stuffing

Healthy Potatoes:
Scalloped Potatoes
Brussels Sprouts and Fingerling Potatoes

Healthy Casserole:
Green Bean and Shiitake Casserole

Healthy Veggie Sides:
Green Beans & Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Cauliflower with Cheese Sauce

Healthy Cranberry Sauce:
Cranberry-Apple Relish

Healthy Soups:
Curried Butternut Squash Soup
Wild Mushroom Soup
Creamy Veggie Soup
Roasted Cauliflower Soup

Healthy Salads:
Green Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette (sans croutons)
Walnut-Romaine Salad

Healthy Bread:
Whole Wheat Rolls

Red Wine Spritzer:
In a tall glass filled with ice, mix equal parts red wine and tonic water. Add a splash of lemonade and garnish with a slice of lemon. Makes 1 spritzer.

Plus 4 Desserts Under 400 Calories per serving:

Pumpkin Mousse-Filled Cupcakes

Mixed-Fruit Strudel

Pumpkin-Swirl Cheesecake

Strawberry Linzer Cookie Tart

What about after the big holiday? I like to keep it healthy with my leftovers, so I found some great easy meals for Thanksgiving Leftovers Under 300 Calories:

Romaine with Turkey and Dried Cranberries

Turkey Waldorf Salad

Green Bean Salad

Cape Cod Turkey Pitas

Broccoli-Turkey Salad

And after dinner is over, I’m going to take a breather and go for a walk.

If you’re losing weight or keeping it off, how do you stay on track during the Holiday season? Do you aim to exercise more or eat healthier version of your Holiday favorites? Share your tips!

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