Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes
Healthy Thanksgiving dinner recipes start with wholesome ingredients the whole family will enjoy. Most traditional recipes are loaded with too much salt, sugar and high in saturated fats, The risks associated with saturated fat consumption is controversial for the development of a disease. Many professionals recommend eating a diet low in saturated fat for preventing diabetes, cardiovascular disease or even death.
Different fats contain different proportions of saturated fats and unsaturated fats. Some examples of foods containing high levels of saturated fats include animal fat products including whole milk dairy products, cream cheese, butter and fatty meats that also contain high levels of dietary cholesterol.
Specific products vegetable products have high saturated content including palm oil and coconut oil. Processed foods or fried foods are considered high in saturated fat such as sausage, dairy desserts, and pizza. Today’s recipes are dedicated to eating a healthy Thanksgiving dinner packed with flavor using the right ingredients without sacrificing taste.
Pumpkin Soup
Pumpkin is both nutritious and delicious served as a vegetable or soup. Usually made from fresh or canned pumpkin puree in combination with stock and seasonings for a hearty bowl of soup.
It can be served hot or cold and is a popular Thanksgiving dish served in carved out pumpkins for a festive table setting.
Pumpkin has impressive health benefits due to high nutritional value and low calorie count. It is a powerhouse of nutrition high in vitamin A, lutein and Zeaxanthin that may protect eyesight. Click Here for the recipe.
Yummly mobile app and website dedicated to providing recipe recommendations personalized to the individuals taste including semantic search options including a digital recipe box, shopping list, and grocery delivery. Find more healthy recipes by conducting a search for ” healthy recipes” on Yummly to select specific recipes to choose from. Save recipes in a digital recipe box for later use helping you stay on track with your diet goals. Check out the low-calorie recipes below for healthy Thanksgiving.
Healthy Hors-d’oeuvres
Serving healthy hors d’oeuvre a lite snack before a meal is a great way to mix and mingle with the company as they arrive. Try this platter of black and green pitted olives, roasted red peppers, fetta cheese cubed, pickles topped with Basel for garnish. Serve with low calorie drinks tea or coffee.
Thanksgiving Menue
- Healthy hors-d’oeuvre
- Turkey
- Gravey
- Mashed Cauliflower
- Low calorie drinks coffee, tea, water with lemon, sugar-free sparkling cider
- Steamed green beans
- Mashed sweet potatoes no sugar
- Long grain mixed rice
- Sugar-free Pumpkin Pie
Low Fat Turkey Dinner
Here in America, we have had a long tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving dinner menu including turkey as part of the Entree. Turkey contains more protein per ounce compared to other meats beef and pork products. The white meat is usually considered healthier than the dark meat due to its low saturated fat content however the nutritional differences are the same.
Try this healthy low fat Turkey recipe that is easy to prepare and simply delicious. For those who want to save time, you can prepare the turkey one day in advance then heat and serve for guests and family.
Directions Preparation of Turkey
Completely thaw the turkey. Clean the turkey by removing turkey gizzards, heart and kidney from the cavity of the bird. Save the gizzards, heart, and kidneys to make a sauce for basting if you wish.
Wash the bird inside and out. Place the bird on a plastic cutting board and pat the turkey dry with clean paper towels. Rub the inside cavity of the turkey with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season inside the turkey with a poultry Mrs. Dash Seasoning mix.
Place herbs of choice inside the cavity to add additional flavor Suggestions of herbs are thyme, chives, sage rosemary, and parsley. Using herbs for seasoning will enhance the flavor of the turkey without adding too much salt.
Ingredients
1 17 -20-pound turkey ( remove the turkey from the refrigerator one hour before cooking.)
Mrs. Dash Poultry seasoning mix Found online or at the grocery store baking section
Herbs rosemary, chives, sage,
Cut fresh vegetables 5 carrots, 4 stalks of celery and dice 1 large onion (this is for the bottom of the roasting pan
For the cavity cut 2 pounds mushrooms cut, 4 carrots, 2 stalks of celery and 1 large onion combine with herbs in one bowl
2 tablespoons olive oil
McCormick gravy mix- for gravy flavoring instead of flour paste
Directions
1.) Season the turkey cavity. Stuff the turkey with the cut vegetables and herb mixture. Layer the vegetables on the bottom of the roasting pan. Place the turkey on top of the vegetables in the roasting pan. The vegetables will act as a roasting rack for the turkey adding more flavor as it cooks.
2.) Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F
3.) Place the turkey in the oven and cook for 45 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees F for the remainder of the cooking time. Based the turkey with the chicken or vegetable stock liquid every 15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F using an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thigh Cooking time usually 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
Basting Liquid
3.) Basting Liquid-put 4 cups of vegetable stock or chick stock in a saucepan. Add the gizzards, heart, and kidney if you like. Cook the meat completely before basting. This will add more flavor to the gravy later. Bring the liquid up to a simmer then reduce to low heat to cook and reduce the liquid.
4.) Remove the turkey from the oven and place on a baking sheet to cool. Tent the turkey with foil and allow to rest for 20 minutes or until cool before carving.
Related Post- Top Delicious Recipes For Thanksgiving Dinners
Low-Calorie Gravy
Using the liquid from the turkey can make a delicious gravy however it is loaded with fat. Strain the basting liquid and the cooking liquid removing all the vegetables and turkey innards. Place the cooled liquid in the refrigerator for 15 minutes or longer until the fat separates from the liquid.
You will clearly see the fat solidify on top of the liquid. Scrape off the top layer of fat and discard. Strain the liquid through a cheesecloth or strainer to remove any small particles.
Place 4 cups of liquid in a saucepan. Combine 2 packets of McCormick turkey gravy mix the liquid. Wisk all ingredients. Heat the liquid to low whisking until the thickened consistency is desired. This is a low-fat version of gravy by removing the fat and keeping all the flavor.
Save more calories making a gravy from McCormick Gravy Seasoning combined with water. Follow the directions on the package to make low-calorie gravy.
Mashed Cauliflower Side Dish
Traditionally mashed potatoes are served with tons of butter and fattening gravy. Try this delicious low calorie mashed cauliflower side dish packed with nutrition low in carbohydrates. Simply delicious healthy Thanksgiving dinner idea.
Ingredients
1 head of cauliflower Pinch of salt
1 cup plain yogurt Pepper
Directions
Cook the cauliflower in a steamer or boil until tender 12 minutes. Drain the cauliflower discard the liquid. The dryer the cauliflower the better for the consistency of the final product. Place the cauliflower in a large mixing bowl. Mash the cauliflower with a potato masher to break up small pieces. Add a splash of soy milk or non-dairy milk, pinch of salt, Pepper and one cup low-fat plain yogurt. Blend until smooth. Healthy Thanksgiving side dish perfect for dinner parties or any time of the week.
Side Dish Ideas
- Steamed green beans
- Sauteed mushrooms in olive oil
- Corn no butter or use Smart balance heart-healthy butter spread
- Long grain rice
- Sweet potato mash
- cauliflower mash
- grilled asparagus
Healthy Thanksgiving Tips
- Eliminate or reduce sugar in recipes and drinks
- Steam vegetables
- Use portation control when eating
- Reduce salt intake try Mrs. Dash Seasonings- Salt-free
- Use herbs for seasoning
- Use Heart healthy smart balance butter in recipes and on the table or buffet
- Avoid overeating at dinner, Control appetite by drinking one glass of pure water with the juice of one lemon in the morning on an empty stomach
- Avoid stressing out over entertaining. Prepare meals in advance. Set up table or buffet in advance for easy serving.
- Walk 30-60 minutes once per day for weight loss.
Make healthy Thanksgiving recipes healthier using low-fat alternatives in cooking. Using sugar-free substitutes or no sugar added will greatly reduce calories in recipes.
Sugar-Free Pumpkin Pie with Almond Crust
Almond Crust
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups Almond Flour
1/2 cup Tapioca flour
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 eggs
2 tablespoons of coconut oil melted
Directions
Add all ingredients to a bowl and combine with a fork until the mixture forms a ball. Chill the mixture right away
After the dough has chilled it should be ready to roll out into a pie shell. Add a sprinkle of almond flour on your work surface. Place the dough on top of the almond flour. Roll out the dough into a 9 inch in diameter round shape to fit an 8-inch pie shell. Place the dough in the pie shell and crimp the edges with a wooden spoon to get a decorative edge.
Egg Wash
Crack one egg into a bowl. Add a splash of milk or soy milk. Wisk the egg mixture with a fork. Brush the edge of the pastry with the egg wash before baking.
Sugar-Free Pumpkin Pie Filling
This sugar-free pumpkin pie dessert is a delicious way to end a healthy Thanksgiving meal.
Ingredients
1 15 ounces can of pure pumpkin puree Sugar-free unseasoned
1 packet Sugar-free pudding mix (cooking pudding mix) this will sweeten and thicken the pie
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 can sugar-free carnations ever operated milk or 1 cup soy milk.
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F
In a large bowl add all of the ingredients and mix well to blend
Place the pie shell on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper
Pour the pie filling in the pie shell
Place the pie shell in a 450 degree F oven for 15 minutes to bake
Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and bake the pie for an additional 40-50 minutes until the pie is firm to the touch
Serve cooled with a dollop of low-fat yogurt and a sprinkle of cinnamon to garnish
Stay on track with your diet using these delicious low-fat sugar-free recipes.
Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet
Surve family and friends buffet style leaving the host or hostess more time to enjoy the celebration. Setting up a buffet can be completed one day in advance. Cover a stable piece of furniture or table with a protective tablecloth in coordinating colors for a thanksgiving.
At one end of the table place ice bucket, glasses, and low-calorie drinks. Add plates, utensils, and napkins arranged nicely on the table. On the day of thanksgiving simply heat turkey and side dishes in the oven until the food reached the desired temperature. Place the food in dishes or platters then arrange on the buffet for serving guests.
Drink Bar is always nice to set up in advance including a sugar punch, ice, coffee, and tea offering low-calorie alternatives for health-conscious individuals. Dedicating space for drinks, food and desserts can help to serve the meal a cinch for anyone who wants to entertain guests.
Sugar-Free Punch
Ingredients
2 cans frozen sugar-free apple juice concentrate found in the frozen aisle section of your grocery store (defrost)
2 containers of 2 liters sugar-free ginger ale
ice
Directions
In a large punch bowl add the 2 can of apple juice and 2 liters of ginger ale. Mix until combined. Add ice to chill.
Serve this on the drink bar for guests to serve themselves before dinner or after the meal. This is a delicious low-calorie drink perfect for any occasion. Check out All Recipes for more non-alcoholic healthy punch recipes.
Enjoy a Healthy Thanksgiving using delicious recipes the whole family will enjoy.
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Cheers!
Patricia Lynn
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