Healthy Recipes for Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving can always be a tricky time to stay on track with your health goals or your healthy lifestyle, whether you're hosting a gathering or traveling to one. Here are some
of my favorite healthy recipes that can help you have both a flavorful,
fun thanksgiving, and remain on track as well!

If you're planning on having a heavier meal, here are some light appetizers you can easily make ahead of time to serve or bring with you:

      

Warmer finger foods are always fun as well. All of these wonton recipes are fun and healthy for everyone:

     

For the two taco wonton recipes above, you absolutely can't be without this Easy Avocado Dip:

And, finally, for some heartier appetizers, you'll want to check out these:

     

     

My family has always started Thanksgiving dinner with a traditional Italian tortellini soup. However, this light vegetarian seasonal soup would be a perfect start to any Thanksgiving meal. It's smooth and packed with flavor:

Here are some fun, healthy, and seasonal sides to include as well:

     

I hope this helps give you a few ideas as to what you can include in your Thanksgiving day, whether you swap out an older, less healthy recipe on your menu, or you simply bring along a healthier appetizer. For more recipes, you can check out the All Recipes tab, or check out my Pinboards for hundreds of different healthy recipes, especially Healthy Party Ideas.

A website I always check out when I'm busy planning for a party is Raise.com. They have hundreds of different gift cards to buy and sell for a discounted rate. It's such an easy and 

quick way to add some savings to all of your 

holiday and party purchases!

https://www.raise.com/buy-gift-cards
https://www.raise.com/sell-gift-cards 

For more, check out:

     

6 Classic Recipes for a Healthier Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving doesn't have to be an unhealthy mess. Here are 6 ways to make some classic dishes taste amazing without throwing your body under the bus.


Tahini-Garlic Mashed Potatoes: These 0 cholesterol, low sodium mashed potatoes are creamy and tasty without any butter or nonsense!





Homemade Cranberry Sauce: This amazing, guilt-free, and fresh tasting cranberry sauce leaves the preservatives, sugars, cholesterol, and sodium behind! A must! 0mg sodium, 0mg cholesterol, and only 70 calories for a 1/4 cup serving!




Thanksgiving Gravy: A thanksgiving must-have that won't clog your arteries while you enjoy it! With only 35mg sodium and 10mg cholesterol in a 1/4 cup serving, you can enjoy this gravy without worry.





Bacon, Cranberry, and Mushroom Stuffing: A twist on the traditional stuffing drastically reduces sodium to only 180mg per serving, contains 8g protein, and only 3.5g fat! A must-try that is packed with flavor!





Warm Winter Greens Salad: Start your meal off with this warm and flavor-filled salad. With 0mg cholesterol it will help digestion and prepare your palate for the flavors to come! Great ad-on tips in the recipe too!





Winter Squash Crostini: This fun and healthy spread is great to serve as guests arrive

For More:

6 Simple Steps to a Healthier Thanksgiving.

Survival Tips for a Healthier Thanksgiving from acefitness.org

• Eat a balanced breakfast. Skipping breakfast and lunch is a sure recipe for overeating at the Thanksgiving table, and you want to make sure your metabolism wakes up when you do. 

• Eat small amounts and control portion sizes. Our bodies aren’t meant to handle 2,000-3,000 calories all at once and will store excess calories as fat so eat smaller amounts of your favorites, and remember, there's always leftovers tomorrow.  

• Bring a dish. If you’re worried about the food choices that will be available, offer to bring something. Here are 6 Classic Thanksgiving Recipes that are much healthier than their traditional recipes, and check out these Pinboards for more recipe options.

• Be active. Start your day with a brisk walk, bike ride, run, or workout to get your heart pumping and the exercise out of the way. Here are 5 Full Body Exercises You Can Do Anywhere.

• Plan a family event that involves physical activity. A pick-up game of basketball, football, soccer, or a brisk walk outdoors are all great things to add to a family tradition. For more, here are 40 Ideas for Outdoor Exercise. 

• Be mindful of your alcohol intake. Mixed drinks tend to have high amounts of concentrated sugar and quickly add empty calories. One glass of wine may be reasonable, but remember alcohol contains about 7 calories per gram, which makes it nearly twice as fattening as carbohydrates or protein. More on Alcohol & Muscle Mass. 

More Thanksgiving Tips: