‘Tis the season for sharing a bountiful harvest, but it doesn’t mean you have to pack on the pounds this Thanksgiving. If you focus your feast on the actual foods of the season – turkey and seasonal vegetables – you can have a hearty and healthy holiday.
Turkey is a great source of lean protein and is naturally low in fat and calories if you skip the skin. Mashed potatoes are also naturally low in fat, just make sure to go very light on the butter and use milk rather than heavy cream. Potatoes are high on the glycemic charts and if you’re dieting, you need to keep away from to many carbs, so keep these as a small side dish. Cranberry sauce is also a low-fat side dish, but high in sugar, it can also be a good indulgence if you keep it on the side.
Load up over half your plate with veggies if you want to really make the most of your feast without the fat. Green beans, peas, carrots, corn and squash are all fantastic foods to add some color and vitamins to your plate.
And you don’t have to skip dessert if you can keep yourself to a slice. Regular pumpkin pie is one of the lowest fat desserts at around 10 grams a slice. Other desserts vary but if you can substitute unsweetened applesauce for half the sugar or substitute egg whites for full eggs, you can avoid some of the extra calories without missing out on taste. Check the Internet for recipes that fit your diet and your taste buds.
