Thanksgiving is about appreciating the little things, being with loved ones, and, of course, indulging in the dishes you only get to eat once (maybe twice) a year. But for those committed to mindful and healthy eating, holidays centered around food can be challenging. Of course, they also want to enjoy the delicious dinner, but they also don’t want to steer off course too far.
Thankfully, a few healthy Thanksgiving dinner tips can make even the most classic recipes a little bit healthier. With some simple food swaps and mindset changes, you can enjoy a feast while still adhering to your healthy eating plan.
Eat Breakfast
Most people save their appetite for the main event. But, when you show up and finally sit down ravenous for Thanksgiving dinner, your willpower tends to disappear, and you’ll most likely eat everything that’s in sight! Been there done that! Instead, eat a light breakfast or satisfying snack before starting the festivities. Nuts, yoghurt, avocado salad, or eggs are good options to consider. It makes a huge difference.
Plate It Colorful
Make your plate colorful by going heavy on vegetables. If you can, choose a variety of fresh, grilled, or roasted veggies like beets, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower. Pair them with lean meats like chicken, or – you guessed it – turkey! The star of the Thanksgiving meal is also healthy, especially if you avoid the skin.
Adjust Heavy Traditional Recipes
Many classic Thanksgiving meals have hefty amounts of starch-heavy items, added sugar and cream in the recipes. Try to avoid it, or, if you’re the one cooking, try out a lighter version of these meals. Some easy adjustments involve adding more vegetables to your stuffing, adding less sugar on sweet potatoes, and swapping sour cream with Greek yoghurt or low-fat cottage cheese. Making a walnut crust or oat topping for your pumpkin pie, for example, will cut some calories and saturated fats.
Once you’ve finished eating, consider taking a refreshing stroll outside or playing a game of football in the yard. A brief walk in nature is good for both your physical and mental health.
You never have to feel obligated to find healthy alternatives during your holiday meals. However, if you are looking for healthy ways to tweak your favorite meals, these tips will definitely help.
[RECIPE] LEMON-PEPPER BAKED CHICKEN WINGS
These spicy baked chicken wings are perfect for game day or anytime you need to whip up a casual, yet delicious, appetizer. Making your own homemade flavored seasonings is easy. However, finding the perfect balance of flavors is more of an art than a science, because individual tastes vary so widely. The proportions shared here offer a safe starting point. The whole black peppercorns impart a BOLD flavor to this seasoning, so it’s best to start with a small amount and adjust upwards until you find the level of heat you prefer. Once you do, you can create larger batches of this seasoning and store the remaining amounts in an airtight container for several months.
Prep time: 50 minutes (includes drying time for zest, which can be done in advance)
Cooking time: 50 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients (use organic if possible):
Lemon-Pepper Seasoning:
- 4-5 large organic lemons, zested
- 1 T. kosher salt
- 1 t. black peppercorns, crushed
Chicken Wings:
- 4 lbs. chicken wings, tips removed and patted dry
- 3 T. extra virgin olive oil
Directions:
- Position oven rack to center position and preheat oven to warm (lowest setting).
- Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- To prepare the lemon seasoning, wash the lemons and pat dry. Remove zest from each lemon with a microplane. While doing so, collect as much of the flavorful yellow outer layer as possible, while avoiding the more bitter white layer below.
- Spread the zest in a thin layer on the parchment paper and place in the oven. After 20 minutes, remove pan from oven and shake to make sure zest is drying evenly. Return to oven until thoroughly dried, approximately 25-30 minutes.
- Remove dried lemon zest from the oven and increase oven temperature to 425oF.
- Add dried lemon zest to spice grinder or food processor along with salt and black peppercorns. Grind ingredients until desired consistency is reached. Taste and adjust ratio of salt and pepper as desired.
- In a large bowl, combine chicken wings with olive oil and 1-2 tablespoons of lemon-pepper seasoning and toss until evenly coated.
- Arrange seasoned chicken wings in a single layer on rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Do not overcrowd. Place baking sheet on center rack of preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Remove baking sheet from oven and turn each wing to ensure they cook evenly on all sides. Return to oven and bake for another 20-25 minutes, or until wings are browned and crispy.
- Remove from oven and serve immediately with sliced celery and blue cheese or ranch dressing, if desired.
To Your Health,
Patti
