How I choose to celebrate Thanksgiving + tips for keeping this year's dinner light and healthy
In the coming days I’ll be sharing my Thanksgiving dish list here on the blog, including all of the ingredients I use and full recipes that I’ll be preparing this year.
But before I do that, I want to take a minute to talk about how I like to approach everyone’s favorite holiday. Specifically, how I like to keep things healthy and light when preparing for what is otherwise known as a very indulgent holiday.
You’ll see from this post and the recipes that I share, that I don’t throw in the towel when it comes to healthy habits - even for just a day. First of all, focusing on my health is and has always been what makes me feel my best. Second, I love to create recipes and really enjoy the challenge of taking traditional comfort foods and finding ways to make them healthier and just as good, if not better, than their counterparts .
I began celebrating Thanksgiving nearly a decade ago, once I moved to the United States. For me, it’s a holiday that is, first and foremost, about gratitude. And while there are so many things that I am grateful for, I understand that I would not be able to celebrate any of them if it weren’t for my health. Recognizing this small but very true fact is what inspires my approach to preparing Thanksgiving dinner each year; I see it as an opportunity to thank my body for all that it’s given me and all that it has allowed me to experience in my lifetime, and I like to celebrate this by feeding and nourishing myself and those I am celebrating with, with nutrient dense foods.
I don’t believe that taking care of your health and enjoying a Thanksgiving meal are mutually exclusive ideas. In my house, they go hand-in-hand.
Here are a few helpful habits and tips if you want to do the same!
To start my day off on the right note, I workout first thing in the morning. I try to do this most days of the week, and Thanksgiving day is no exception. Working out first thing in the morning is a real energy booster, which is very necessary if you’re cooking and entertaining guests all day and into the night . It’s also a great reminder at the top of the day that I intend to put my health first. And on busy days, such as Thanksgiving, I need that reminder.
I drink a ton of water. I like to stay as hydrated as possible every day, but especially so on days when there will be a lot of food around. Water fills you up and can help prevent you from overeating, which is all too common during food-centric holidays such as this one. It also prevents dehydration, which, for me, often leads to cravings for sugar that I don’t otherwise have.
Greens are at the heart of every dish I prepare. If you’re a regular reader of this blog, then you know that I am a huge advocate of consuming greens on a daily basis. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: there is not a single product or food better for your body or brain than greens - especially leafy greens. For this reason, my Thanksgiving table is filled with green vegetables - salads, brussel sprouts, green beans etc. - and I keep the dishes as light as possible when it comes to sauces and dressings.
I like to cook without oils. I’m not a huge fan of cooking with oil - it’s a highly processed food that contains a lot of fat and calories for a very small serving. In my opinion, you’re better off eating the foods that oils are derived from - olives instead of olive oil, flax seeds instead of flax oil, and so on. If you’re stir frying or sautéing something this Thanksgiving, use non-stick cookware and 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable broth or water instead (or tamari or coconut aminos if the flavor suits the dish). For roasting, I like to use non-stick baking sheets and parchment paper to prevent sticking, and lots of herbs and spices to ensure things are flavorful. To replace oil and butters when baking, I’ll use unsweetened applesauce, chia seeds and flax meal and mashed bananas, depending on the dish. I also want to point out that all of these substitutions add more flavor to whatever it is I’m preparing than oil does.
I steer clear of dairy. Numerous studies show that dairy, perhaps more than any other food group, wreaks absolute havoc on our digestive system and causes inflammation in the gut and throughout our body. One of the reasons that I’m able to feel good and remain energized, even after all that food on Thanksgiving, is because I don’t cook with dairy. Whether you stick to a plant-based diet or not, try to go dairy-free when preparing your dishes this year and see for yourself just how much better you feel. And don’t worry about taste because dairy-free vegan options have come a very long way in recent years, with so many products tasting just like the real thing. Some of my favorite vegan substitutes are Miyoko’s cultured vegan butter, Oatly oat milk (they have a gluten free option, as well as low and full fat options), Kite Hill ricotta cheese and Violife parmesan and shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese. All of these are great options if you want the taste and texture of real dairy without any of the downsides that come with consuming it.
I try not to overeat. Excess is one of the first words that comes to mind when I think about a traditional Thanksgiving meal. As you can see, I do what I can to avoid preparing ‘heavy’ dishes. But I also do my best to avoid overeating or stuffing myself silly, just for the sake of it. To avoid this trap, try to fill your plate with vegetables, wait 20-30 minutes before deciding if you want another serving (which is about how long it takes for you to digest your food and start feeling full), and focus on catching up with the people around your instead of the food on the table.
And if you’re not the one hosting this year, try to bring healthy alternatives with you wherever you go to celebrate. Not only is this a nice gesture that helps to take some of the burden off your your host, but it gives you the opportunity to make sure that you have light and healthy dishes available that you can enjoy. I do this whenever I’m invited anywhere; the host is always appreciative and so are other health-conscious guests.
If you’re looking for healthier ways to ring in this holiday, I hope you found this article helpful. And if you wish to put your health goals aside while celebrating and indulge without any negative emotions or guilt, this post is not at all meant to tell you otherwise.
I want to wish each and every one reading this a very happy and bright Thanksgiving. From the bottom of my heart, I am so grateful for all of you.
