There are many things to love about Thanksgiving, and overeating is not one of them. It’s safe to say that most people eat enough carbs during the big meal to last them an entire month. Between the stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, gravy, pie, and other carbs, the Thanksgiving meal accounts for more than 3,000 calories and nearly 160 grams of fat. Those numbers are based on a full-on binge, and even though it only happens once a year, other factors like sodium and sugar can take a toll on your health. 

You don’t have to overindulge just because it’s Thanksgiving. It’s just so easy to add delicious options to your plate! We get that, but is it worth it to feel bloated and sick? Nutritionists suggest that it is better to choose smaller portions first and then go back for seconds of the foods you enjoyed the most. How exactly do you eyeball the right-size portions, though? Well, we have a little cheat sheet for serving sizes of the most common holiday dishes. Hopefully, this information helps you better navigate how much food you put on your plate. 

Mashed Potatoes

Is the Thanksgiving meal complete without mashed potatoes? Potatoes offer some health benefits, but all the salt, butter, and cream that goes into mashed potatoes renders them unhealthy. Not to mention the fact that people drown them in fattening gravy. Ideally, you will only serve yourself a half-cup of mashed potatoes, which registers 119 calories and 18 grams of carbs. Sticking to a scoop that is roughly the size of a 25-foot tape measure is best for your help. 

Gravy

You can’t have the aforementioned mashed potatoes without gravy, right? Some consider that a sin! People get carried away with gravy, ladling it over the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and even the occasional slice of pie. Nutritionists recommend the serving size for gravy to be no more than one-quarter cup, which is about one-and-one-half shot glasses. Gravy can be very high in sodium, so take it easy with the ladle, especially if you need to keep an eye on your blood pressure. 

Green Bean Casserole

Some people cannot let Thanksgiving happen without green bean casserole, while others don’t care for it at all. Vegetables are not usually the issue at Thanksgiving, but they are when you smother them in mushroom cream sauce and packaged fried onions. An eight-ounce can of cream of mushroom soup is very high in sodium and fat. The average green bean casserole yields about 735 milligrams of sodium and five grams of fat per cup. If you serve this dish at your Thanksgiving, try to keep the portion size to one cup. You can also go a little healthier, foregoing the cream of mushroom soup and fried onions and simply sauté green beans in olive oil with garlic, onions, and lemon juice.

Pie

There is never a shortage of pie at the Thanksgiving table. One could say that there are too many pies available to everyone. Desserts sneak a lot of extra calories, sugars, and carbs. A standard slice of pumpkin pie clocks more than 300 calories, not including whipped cream or cream cheese frosting. A slice of apple pie is very comparable, calorically speaking, but pecan pie is the densest and contains nearly double the calories. For a slice of pumpkin or apple pie, one slice is sufficient (about the size of a kitchen sponge). Cut that serving size in half if you go for pecan pie. 

Stuffing

Stuffing is like the mystery meat of starches, in that recipes vary so much (nutritionally speaking) depending on how you prepare the dish. Some people just use the classic box of stuffing mix and add in some onions, carrots, and celery. Others make their own croutons from whole-wheat bread and incorporate more vegetables, herbs, seasonings, nuts, and homemade vegetable stock. So many stuffings, however, contain tons of butter, bacon, sausage, duck fat, or even lard. This is not a dish that contains a lot of fiber or healthy nutrients. For that reason, nutritionists recommend the serving size be a half-cup.

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Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday that brings together friends, family, and, most importantly, flavors. Eating until you can no longer move is almost encouraged on this holiday, but you regret it when you are beyond bloated. Sure, the rolls and mashed potatoes went down smooth with the stuffing and turkey, but was it necessary? Did you have to put your body through that experience again?

In addition to family time and eating, Thanksgiving is really about preparation. The meal is quite a lengthy process, especially if you take on the challenge all by yourself. Between basting the turkey, mashing the potatoes, roasting the Brussels sprouts, and preparing for the onslaught of family members, it’s safe to say that Thanksgiving is overwhelming. That means that you have a lot of preparation to do, especially in regards to your mental health. 

It’s no secret that the Thanksgiving dinner requires a lot of preparation, but it also requires your mental preparation. There are many lies that surround this holiday, and most of them involve why you feel you should stuff your face. Start this year fresh to better assess how you approach this holiday. When you look at common lies surrounding why you eat a lot, you may end up eating less and feeling better about yourself.

It’s Thanksgiving…So You Need To Gorge

Thanksgiving, much like 4th of July or Labor Day Weekend, is a holiday about excess. This holiday primarily focuses on food, and eating leftovers throughout the weekend is highly encouraged, according to the masses. The reality is that you should be extra careful with what you eat because it is Thanksgiving, after all. Eating too much is too easy, so be extra careful with what you select from the big holiday spread.

The Food Is So Good That You Need To Go Back For Seconds

True, the food is extra special on Thanksgiving. That also means that you need to concentrate on thoroughly enjoying each and every bite. Don’t just eat mindlessly and wolf down forkful after forkful, not taking a second to breathe or enjoy food between bites. In all seriousness, you will enjoy yourself (and the food) much more if you savor what you put on your plate. Don’t overcrowd your plate, either, as a large plate of food is harder to fully appreciate. 

You Need To Celebrate By Eating Whatever You Want

Thanksgiving is not your opportunity to fully abandon all of your dietary rules. Is it a time to be appreciative of what you have and for the people who surround you? Yes, absolutely, but that has nothing to do with eating recklessly. You don’t need to express your gratitude via eating excessively. Three pieces of pie doesn’t mean you are more grateful than someone who enjoys food responsibly. 

Eat As Much As You Can Now While It’s Here

For the most part, Thanksgiving food is not eaten any other time of year, except for Christmas, maybe. The truth is that you will get to eat the same thing the following day for leftovers. And the even bigger truth is that if you don’t get to eat a side dish on Thanksgiving, you can always make it again some other time. There is no need to stuff your face just because this meal happens once a year. That is a foolish way of thinking!

You Don’t Need To Follow Boundaries On Holidays

Ahhh, this is potentially the biggest lie that surrounds the holiday season. In fact, people know that they gain more weight during this time of year than the rest of the year. New Year’s resolutions will take care of it, right? Wrong! Boundaries protect you and your life, and your overall health, will benefit if you don’t stuff yourself on Thanksgiving. You will also feel better the next morning when you wake up knowing that you followed your boundaries. Be strong and your body will thank you!

It’s There And You Can’t Help Yourself

If you fill your mind with the truth before you sit down to eat, the likelihood of you stuffing your face is much lower. Don’t believe the common lies surrounding Thanksgiving and prepare yourself mentally to have a healthier, less-bloated experience.

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Yes, folks, that time of year has arrived. Pumpkin spice is here to stay for the next couple months, so you can expect some more pumpkin recipes to come your way. Some will be savory, utilizing actual pie pumpkins, and others will be on the sweeter side. The sweeter recipes, like this pumpkin pie pudding, tend to utilize pumpkin puree. Before we tell you more about this pudding, we have to make the distinction between pure pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie filling. One is 100% pumpkin, with no added fats, sugars, or preservatives, while the other rich in sugar, natural flavors, and, quite frankly, devoid of nutritional value.

Fortunately for you, this pumpkin pie pudding is a healthy, guilt-free dessert that you’ll be enjoying throughout autumn. It is a wonderful vegan creation that contains nutritionally-dense ingredients, including raw cashews, pumpkin puree, pure maple syrup, and pumpkin pie spice. Pure maple syrup is a much healthier sweetener to use in place of granulated sugar. It also adds a unique sweetness that works particularly well with fall flavors, such as pumpkin pie spice. Just make sure that you opt for pure maple syrup and not the unhealthy corn syrup ones that do not require refrigeration after opening.

This pudding is extra creamy because of the pumpkin puree and raw cashews. Make sure to soak the cashews for at least two hours in order to soften them. That makes them a lot easier to blend, but make sure to discard the soaking liquid before adding them to the blender or food processor. Cashews are great sources of copper, magnesium, manganese, vitamin K, zinc, and phosphorus. Plus, you get tons of vitamin A from the pumpkin!

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Let’s talk about the delicious taste of this chia pudding, which is like enjoying a slice of homemade pie, but in a jar. The difference is that, unlike traditional pecan pie, this chia pudding does not contain excess sugars and fats. It won’t leave you feeling bloated or terrible about yourself after finishing a serving. In fact, the chia seeds will help replenish your energy stores, aid your fiber intake efforts, and help regulate blood sugar levels. How about that?

The raw vegan pecan pie chia pudding we are talking about is a creamy, rich, and indulgent breakfast, dessert, or filling snack. Made with chia seeds soaked in homemade almond milk, this is a simple chia pudding topping with a candied pecan topping. The chia mixture thickens overnight in the fridge, thickening into a pudding-like texture. This happens because the chia seeds absorb the liquid and create a gel-like texture, which is very similar to tapioca.

When you take a bite of this pecan pie chia pudding, you’ll taste that signature sweet and nutty flavor of pecan pie. The maple syrup provides a hint of warmth and depth, but you get a little spicy kick from the cinnamon. The flavor is reminiscent of a traditional pecan pie, but without the added sugar and processed or refined ingredients. This raw vegan version is lighter, fresher, and more nutritious, making it an ideal dessert option if you want a healthier indulgence.

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A lot of people look forward to the Thanksgiving feast for months. Is it a healthy holiday? Absolutely not, but people excuse themselves from diet restrictions on Turkey Day to gorge on the impressive spread. Between the casseroles, turkey, stuffing, pies, mashed potatoes, and endless selection of other sides, it’s safe to say that you can easily rack up the calories. In fact, the Calorie Control Council estimates that the average American consumes about 4,500 calories during the Thanksgiving feast alone. That doesn’t even include the rest of the day!

Just in case you were wondering, 4,500 calories is more than double the recommended daily calories you should consume in a day. Research has shown that Americans experience an average weight increase of up to 0.2% over Thanksgiving, and 0.4% over Christmas. That may not sound like a lot, but the average person doesn’t lose that weight either. Year after year, this can accumulate and cause a lot of weight gain. 

While there are certain dishes that you can only get on Thanksgiving, exercise moderation and control when you encounter these foods. Most foods are on the “naughty list,” dietarily speaking, but that doesn’t mean you have to avoid them entirely. Enter the Thanksgiving feast with a game plan and do your best to control your portions, especially in regards to the following unhealthy dishes. 

Stuffing

People love to gobble up stuffing, which is nothing but a calorically dense, carbohydrate-rich, fattening side dish. It does taste good though, right? Most people use store bought stuffing mixes, which contain preservatives, excess sodium, and processed ingredients. Plus, stuffing often contains bacon, giblets, and sausage, which can increase the calories to 500 per cup. Many people often eat more than two cups, accounting for 1,000 calories with one dish. Get a small portion, or make stuffing a little healthier by using less meat in your stuffing. Consider reducing the butter content by 50% and using lower-calorie and lower-sodium ingredients as well. 

Green Bean Casserole

You either love it or you hate it, but green bean casserole is a staple on many holiday tables. It’s a vegetable dish, so how can it be unhealthy? Even though it may be the only green you see on the Thanksgiving menu, it tends to contain 200 calories, 22 grams of carbs, 8 grams of saturated fat, and 574 milligrams of sodium per serving. Keep in mind that most people use canned creamy soup and fried onions, increasing the sodium, fat, and calorie content. If you do make it, try to use fresh green beans and low-sodium soup to keep the sodium down. 

Pecan Pie

Perhaps the most calorically-dense item at the Thanksgiving feast, pecan pie tends to be a family favorite. You may want to rethink your dessert choice, now that you know a slice of this pie contains over 500 calories and a ton of sugar. Gut health experts agree that pecan pie is one of the worst food options at Thanksgiving. Try something a little lighter, less buttery, and less sugary for dessert. Baked apples with cinnamon topped with Greek yogurt are quite lovely!

Macaroni And Cheese

Traditional mac and cheese recipes call for milk, butter, piles of cheese, and potentially more milk and butter. Plus, you have the enriched flour and carbs from macaroni. That means that this staple side dish can topple over the 1,000-calorie mark per serving. It’s difficult to lighten this serving, but you can do it. Use smaller amounts of flavorful cheese like sharp cheddar or pepper Jack, and consider supplementing with reduced fat cheese. Add vegetables like chopped cauliflower or cubed butternut squash to your mac and cheese to replace some of the pasta. 

Candied Yams

For some people, Thanksgiving is not complete without a dish of yams topped with golden-brown marshmallows. Unfortunately, this dish contains about 450 calories per serving due to the artery-clogging fat from all the cream and butter. Plus, the processed, sugary marshmallows only add unhealthy preservatives and chemicals to the mix. There are so many ways to make this sweet potato dish a lot healthier! Use low-fat milk and flour for thickening instead of using heavy cream. Lastly, make a lighter, crunchy topping with some chopped pecans and a few pinches of brown sugar. 

Mashed Potatoes

Potatoes have an impressive nutritional profile, but the copious amounts of butter, cream, and milk make mashed potatoes quite an unhealthy dish. In fact, an average serving of mashed potatoes contains 400 calories. Drizzle a hefty amount of gravy on the potatoes and you raise the calorie count by 200. There are so many alternatives to mashed potatoes that offer more nutritional value, so long as you skip all the butter and cream. Opt for mashed cauliflower or a combination of potatoes and root vegetables like parsnips. Celeriac is another great potato alternative!

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Whether you are young or old, it’s easy to get into the Halloween spirit. It is fun and exciting to dress up and embrace all things scary, but this day is really all about the candy. A child loves the opportunity to walk door-to-door in costume and retrieve candy from those eager enough to pass it out. Adults will walk by a bowl of candy in the office, sneakily grabbing a couple every now and again. Parents may even take some select treats out of the Halloween night’s big haul!

A good bag full of treats is hard to resist. Although the various candies can taste amazing, they often come with a cost: dental problems. A new report found that 35% of Americans have experienced candy-related dental issues. Dentists encourage people to make smarter choices when it comes to which candy they choose to enjoy. Daily or frequent consumption of candy will result in negative consequences for the teeth. According to that new report, the following dental issues may be caused by candy.

Tooth Pain

If candy causes damage to your teeth, fillings, or crowns, you can experience general tooth pain. If you bite into some candy and crack your tooth, it can be extremely painful. A cracked tooth that cracks all the way to the root or nerve can be excruciating and typically requires immediate dental work. 

Chipped Or Cracked Tooth

Not all chips or cracks go all the way down to the tooth’s root. Some people easily chip their teeth on lollipops or other hard candies and don’t fix the chip for months! It is very difficult to chip a tooth and not notice! That said, you can chip part of a tooth while eating and not notice it because it may not hurt. If you don’t address the problem and don’t see a dentist soon after chipping or cracking a tooth, you run the risk of nerve exposure or infection. A cracked tooth loses the outer layer, the enamel, and a cavity can progress at a quicker rate. 

Jaw Discomfort

When you chew hard or sticky candies, you put unnecessary stress on the temporomandibular joints (TMJ). These are the two joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull. If you repeatedly chew hard or sticky candies, you may lead to TMJ pain. Plus, hyperextending for opening the jaw wide to eat larger candies can increase general jaw discomfort. 

Teeth Sensitivity

Bacteria in the mouth can metabolize into simple carbohydrates (sugar) and lower the overall pH in the mouth. An acidic environment can erode the enamel on your teeth, which makes them more sensitive to tooth decay. Even if the bacteria doesn’t metabolize into sugar, it can cause sensitivity to other areas without enamel. Your teeth “feel” via tiny tubules in the dentin layer of the mouth. These tubules have fluid in them, and that fluid can expand or contract in response to cold or hot liquids, sweets, or other food items. People with gum recession are typically more susceptible to tooth sensitivity. 

Gum Infection

Although the report didn’t mention gum infection as a dental issue caused by candy consumption, it is a possible outcome. Little pieces of candy can get trapped between the teeth in the gums or in gum pockets, where floss cannot reach and remove the candy. If candy remains wedged under the gums or between the teeth, you can experience cavities or a periodontal abscess, which is a localized gum infection. 

Damaged Fillings Or Crowns

If you eat sticky candy and you have a filling or crown, you run the risk of pulling out a piece of the filling or crown. If the candy does pull out the filling or crown, the sugar from candy can become trapped in the tooth, which can lead to tooth decay. Candy doesn’t directly harm filling or crown material in that way because decay develops differently. Candy typically infects the tooth at the margin of the filling or crown (where the tooth meets the crown or filling).

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Pumpkin spice is in the air, which means fall is in full swing. You cannot go out without seeing pumpkin spice! From coffee creamers and baked treats to lattes and more, pumpkin spice is in nearly everything. Not only is pumpkin spice or pumpkin pie glorious, but it is also warming, comforting, and tasty. And the great thing about this recipe is that you can enjoy it without the added sugars and excess calories.

Pumpkin puree, not sugary pumpkin pie filling, is highly nutritious. Orange pumpkins are naturally rich in potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin A, which is a key nutrient for eye health. Like other orange fruits and vegetables, pumpkins have lots of beta-carotene, an integral antioxidant that may keep your skin glowing. The fiber in pumpkin puree helps you feel full, so you won’t reach for unnecessary snacks after eating it. But pumpkin isn’t the only star of the show in this recipe. The chia seeds provide an impressive nutritional profile.

Chia seeds provide a similar amount of omega-3 fatty acids as ground flaxseed, but it is in the form of alpha linolenic acid (ALA). They are rich in fiber, which may help reduce cholesterol levels and promote healthier digestion. Because chia seeds can clump easily in this chia pudding, you have to whisk thoroughly before placing in the fridge to set overnight. After about six hours in the fridge, the liquid-like mixture thickens to turn into a pudding that has a similar texture to tapioca. Enjoy it as a healthy dessert or as a nutritious breakfast. Just as a reminder, though, this is only for people who are not cleansing because it is not raw vegan.

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Once you make this apple pie chia pudding, you won’t want to enjoy chia pudding any other way. It takes about 10 minutes to prepare and then you leave it in the fridge overnight to set. When you wake up the next morning, your chia pudding will be ready to go. That’s why we love chia pudding for beginner meal prep. The prep work is very minimal, but the result is incredible!

Chia seeds are rich in various nutrients, including fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and more. The fiber works to keep you full and promotes healthier digestion. Researchers note that eating a good amount of fiber also helps to improve heart health and may lower cholesterol levels. And it can be difficult to figure out how to enjoy chia seeds if you are new to them. That’s why we love chia pudding. It’s a great entry point to utilize these superfood seeds and you can enjoy it as a breakfast or dessert option!

The chia pudding is great, but the apple pie topping truly makes the dish. The topping is basically what apple pie filling is, only it doesn’t contain tons of brown sugar or butter. This topping contains coconut oil, cinnamon, nutmeg, and maple syrup, so it really embraces fall flavors. There is really nothing to dislike about this nutritious breakfast or satisfying dessert. Make it your way and let us know how you like it!

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We can’t just give you a plain Jane smoothie in this day and age. It has to wow your taste buds! This key lime pie smoothie, which is 100% raw vegan, is incredible indulgent, but you can enjoy it without worrying about sugar intake. Unlike the classic pie, this smoothie is gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, and only sweetened with a little maple syrup. You can, however, adjust the sweetness level to your desired taste.

The secret ingredient in this smoothie is, believe it or not, the avocado. It creates a luxuriously thick texture that makes this smoothie seem more like a milkshake. Just make sure that the avocado is not firm and underripe, or too mushy and overripe. You want the avocado to be just right, just like the porridge was for Goldilocks. An under or overripe avocado can dramatically change the flavor profile of this smoothie. It won’t taste like key lime pie, we can tell you that!

Although this key lime pie smoothie is sweetened with grade A maple syrup, you can use a different natural sweetener if you like. Raw agave nectar or alcohol-free stevia drops can be great options to sweeten your smoothie, especially if you are trying to remain keto.

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A traditional Thanksgiving dinner isn’t the epitome of health. In fact, it is the antithesis of health, and gorging oneself into a food coma is the ultimate goal. The giant spread usually consists of holiday pies and carb-centric sides that are loaded with sugar and fat. But if you want to lighten up the menu this year, we have some great Thanksgiving side dishes that will do the trick. 

It can be scary to divert from the familiar, but sometimes you need to jump into the deep end. You can search for new twists on green bean and sweet potato dishes, for example, and invite new flavors to the party. Feature seasonal produce items like Brussels sprouts or replace potatoes with celeriac, another seasonal produce item. One of the primary things that we encourage you to do is add more greens and refreshing dishes to your Thanksgiving spread. Not only does this increase your vegetable intake, but it also nourishes the body and makes the digestive system happier.

Ahead, you’ll find seven easy and healthy recipes that will go great with your Thanksgiving feast. Not only are they scrumptious, but they are a lot lighter than the traditional sides that accompany the big meal. They include more vegetables, some of which are seasonal, and aim to help you feel lighter on the day. 

Pomegranate, Avocado, & Citrus Brussels Sprouts Salad

Brussels sprouts make a great canvas for the color and flavor of fresh pomegranate arils, creamy avocado, and citrus dressing.

Click here to make the recipe. 

Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Cranberries & Pecans

Making Brussels sprouts taste good can be a challenge, but this recipe will have you craving them every day during the holiday season.

Click here to make the recipe. 

Quick And Simple Roasted Broccolini

This roasted broccolini side dish pairs well with just about every meal. No, seriously, it does and you’ll have to try it to believe us. Simplicity is the name of the game in this recipe!

Click here to make the recipe. 

Rainbow Roasted Carrots

Are you ready to taste the rainbow? Far from Skittles, these herbaceous, roasted rainbow carrots are the perfect Thanksgiving side.

Click here to make the recipe.

Mashed Butternut Squash

You’ve never seen a butternut squash recipe like this one. This mashed butternut squash is creamy, comforting, and the perfect side to accompany any feast.

Click here to make the recipe. 

Quinoa Stuffing With Apple, Sweet Potato, & Hazelnuts

This is a healthy twist on a holiday classic. If you are trying to go gluten-free this Thanksgiving, this is the stuffing recipe you need.

Click here to make the recipe.

Cinnamon Maple Instant Potato Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Get a healthy dose of beta-carotene and complex carbohydrates when you indulge in this dish. The maple syrup enhances the inherent sweetness of the sweet potatoes.

Click here to make the recipe.

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