Thanksgiving Healthy Makeover

It is hard to imagine Thanksgiving dinner and "healthy" to be in the same sentence, but it can be done.  Of course some suggestions are obvious such as skipping heavy gravy, buttery mashed potatoes, or taking a slice of every pie on the table, but you also don't want to feel like you missed out on some of the traditional goodies.  Here are a few simple ideas to help cut calories.

For a twist to traditional mashed potatoes, substitute 1/2 of potatoes with cauliflower.  Just add it with the potatoes while boiling.  Season with low fat sour cream or cream cheese instead of butter.  Mash with green onions.

Gravy doesn't have to be full of fat.  Use turkey or chicken stock, flour, apple cider. salt and pepper.

Green bean casserole can be made healthier by replacing canned soup with reduced fat sour cream, low fat milk and chopped mushrooms.

Instead of sweet potato casserole with marshmallows, chunk cut the potatoes and roast with real maple syrup drizzled over, and add pecans.

For the desserts you don't want to feel deprived.  There are many lower calorie desert recipes, however if you replace sugar with a substitute, please do not use one with aspartame such as "Sweet & Low".  Aspartame is never a healthy option.  Read the ingredients before buying a sugar substitute.