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How To Eat Healthy On Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving can get quite overwhelming with the sheer amount of food choices, here are some easy tips on how to eat healthy on thanksgiving!

It’s a shocking fact: on Thanksgiving Day, the typical person will eat 3000 calories. But most will top out at about 4500 once they’ve finished dessert and all of the “extras” that make up the meal.

How to Eat Healthy on Thanksgiving: Your Ultimate Guide

Thanksgiving, a cherished holiday known for its bountiful feasts and heartwarming gatherings, often comes with a calorie-packed caveat. Studies suggest the average person might gobble down as many as 4500 calories, with dessert and those beloved “extras” tipping the scales. But what if we could relish this festive season without compromising our health goals? Here’s the lowdown on how to balance tradition with nutrition and still savor every mouthful.

1. Reimagine the Hors D’oeuvres:

Rather than indulging in calorie-laden pigs in blankets or hefty sausages, opt for crunchy veggies paired with a nutritious dip. Consider a creamy hummus or a custom dip concocted from sour cream jazzed up with your family’s favorite flavors. And remember: individual serving bowls can help regulate dip portions and keep calorie counts in check.

2. Start with a Slimmer Soup:

Initiate your feast with a wholesome homemade soup. A pumpkin & squash puree or a hearty veggie & dark meat turkey soup packs a punch of flavor without a hefty calorie tag.

3. Elevate the Salad Game:

While fall might not scream “salad season” for everyone, a vibrant, colorful salad can be a delightful addition to your Thanksgiving spread. A Brussels Sprouts Salad, dotted with bacon and sprinkled with feta, can be both visually appealing and delectably healthy. Already-mixed light dressing ensures calorie moderation.

4. Moderation is Key:

Craving that pecan pie or grandma’s renowned sausage-filled stuffing? You don’t have to skip them! Strategize by limiting high-calorie dishes and savoring them in moderation.

5. Introduce a Dash of Activity:

While a post-meal touch football game might not be everyone’s cup of tea, a serene walk, a playful stint at the park, or a festive turkey trot can effortlessly integrate activity into your Thanksgiving Day.

6. Opt for a Skinless Turkey:

Though crispy skin is delectable, it’s a significant source of calories and cholesterol. A skinless turkey, particularly a turkey breast, can be just as flavorful without the added fats.

7. Reinvent the Stuffing:

Swap out the calorie-rich chestnut stuffing for a mix brimming with cooked cranberries, dried fruit, and veggies. Season with herbs and, if nuts are a must-have, use them sparingly and finely chopped.

This incredibly easy brussels sprouts salad features pecans, bacon, cranberries and feta cheese! Impress your guests with this alternative to regular salad!

8. Rethink the Pie Strategy:

Do you truly need both pumpkin and apple pie? Reduce dessert temptations by sticking to just one pie variety or ensuring each guest gets just one slice.

9. Turn Gratitude into Action:

While contemplating your meal choices, remember that many go hungry every day. This Thanksgiving, consider donating to your local food pantry or participating in a community service.

10. Savor Every Bite:

Healthy doesn’t equate to bland. Utilize herbs, spices, and creative cooking techniques to craft a feast that’s both nutritious and mouthwateringly delicious.

This Thanksgiving, let’s embrace a table filled with not just food, but also mindfulness, gratitude, and health. Cheers to a delightful and healthy celebration! 🍁🦃🥂.

It’s okay to have some of your favorites – just in moderation!

But what about my favorite pecan pie? Or the classic green bean casserole? Or Grandma’s famous sausage filled stuffing? Or even these delicious mashed potatoes? I’m certainly not going to tell you that you can’t have them.

Simply to be savvy and plan ahead for these treats. An entire meal that is 110% treats is way too many calories. Focus on having 1 to 3 treats at your Thanksgiving table, and try to eat them in moderation, because the calorie count on a serving is already going to be higher than other things. But do go ahead and enjoy them!

Look at adding some activity to your Thanksgiving Day.

Not every family wants to – or should – play touch football, the way some of our favorite TV sitcoms show families doing at Thanksgiving time. But what about a walk to the local park, letting the kids play on the swings and the slide? Or riding your bikes after breakfast? A Turkey trot is awesome too! Try to get in at least 30 minutes to one hour of physical activity.

Cook your turkey without the skin to remove fat and unhealthy cholesterol.

Both chicken skin and turkey skin are filled with calories and raise the cholesterol count while cooking, to sky high! Yes, it makes the turkey super yummy. But if you remove the skin, this can make your turkey a lot healthier. Consider buying a turkey breast that provides your family with a good-sized serving for everyone. 

Lighten up your stuffing recipe.

Forgo the chestnut stuffing this year? Nuts add lots of calories! Instead, fill your stuffing with cooked cranberries, dried fruit and veggies that your family loves. Season with herbs and spices. If you do add high calorie treats such as nuts, break them into tiny pieces or slivers, so they cover as much of the stuffing, and you get a little piece of nut in every bite. This will also remove lots of calories in this dish too.

Let’s face it: no one really “needs” 2 slices of pie. So, pick 1 to make.

Lots of families have the classic tradition of 2 pies to choose from at the Thanksgiving table: pumpkin pie and apple pie. Many will eat 2 slices, one of each, because they are there. Instead of making or buying 2 pies, just pick your family’s favorite and have 1 pie instead, or enough pie for everyone to have 1 serving. A slice of pie is at least 400 to 600 calories.

Think about others who may be hungry today and do something to help them.

It may shock you to know that 1 in 5 American children go to bed hungry, every single night. That’s right – even on Thanksgiving. While you are fussing over trying to eat less, there are people who are trying to get enough to eat. Involve your family in a project locally to help with hunger, such as donating some food to your food pantry.

Healthy food doesn’t have to mean “tasteless!”

You can make a delicious meal, adding herbs and spices and other methods to make it tempting. We have to admit that you are probably going to have to accept that the deep-fried turkey is a real “no go!” But otherwise, you can eat just about anything you want, focusing on how to make it a bit healthier!

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For more Thanksgiving fun check out:

Do you have any tips on how to eat healthy on Thanksgiving day?

Janine Huldie

Thursday 17th of October 2019

My husband just lost 30 pounds and has been watching his diet. He loves Thanksgiving though and was a bit worried about how he would stay healthy on that day and still keep on with his diet. So, I am totally sharing your article with him now. Thanks, Nellie!! :)