Eat Empowered7 Thanksgiving Recipes for Healthy People Who Like to Eat
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Scouring the interwebs for healthy Thanksgiving recipes? You’re not alone.
Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner at your home or bringing a dish to pass at someone else’s house, you either whip out the family cookbook and make the same dishes your grandma used to make OR you fire up your google search for the perfect Thanksgiving recipe.
But preparing side dishes and desserts isn’t so easy when you’re a healthy eater with a healthy diet, is it? Almost every holiday recipe calls for items you don’t normally keep in your pantry, and you aren’t used to using that many sticks of butter in a single year, nevermind a single meal.
Thankfully (see what we did there?), we’ve amassed a stash of delicious and healthy Thanksgiving recipes over the years and we’re passing them on to you, just like grandma would. Because, yes, you can absolutely have a healthy Thanksgiving dinner that’s every bit as tasty as one that’s, well, not.
Whip up these 7 nutritious Thanksgiving recipes for the most delicious, healthy, happy Turkey Day feast you’ve had to date.
7 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes for Health-Conscious People Who Love to Eat
Pilgrim Salad
This slightly sweet and crunchy salad is loaded with nutrients. Walnuts are a great source of vitamin E, an important antioxidant that keeps our cells strong and healthy. They’re also packed with protein and linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that may help keep you sharp by protecting against memory loss. The olive oil plays a role aside from tasting good—the healthy fat helps your body absorb vitamins A and K found in the greens! You already know greens are good for many reasons but just a reminder here that they also contain minerals like calcium and iron. Get the recipe
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
These aren’t the mushy, flavorless sprouts you fed to your dog as a child! Brussels sprouts contain many vital nutrients and when done right, they often convert Brussel haters into lovers. Brussels sprouts help regulate digestive function due to all that fiber and they are a rich source of vitamin C with around 50% more vitamin C than your average orange. Get the recipe
Garlic and Lemon Haricots Verts
Green beans may not seem like a glamorous veggie, but combined with garlic and lemons they make a seriously yummy, savory side dish. These beans are chock full of antioxidants, including carotenoids which fight free radicals, vitamin C for a healthy immune system, and fiber, which helps keep our digestive system healthy and helps lower cholesterol. Garlic not only gives this dish flavor but also boosts your immune system, fights cancer and prevents infection. Bam! Get the recipe
Whipped Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potatoes are a winter staple that can satisfy the strongest sweet tooth. And, without a doubt, one of our top 3 winter foods. These tasty tubers are higher in fiber, beta-carotene, and vitamin C than white potatoes. They’re also packed with vitamin A, one of your skin’s BFFs. Vitamin A plays a big role in producing new skin cells and shedding worn cells, as well as defending the body against free radicals that may lead to wrinkles. Craving this now? Get the recipe
Thanksgiving Turkey
Grab a serving of this holiday staple and grab an excellent source of lean protein. Just one 3.5 ounce serving contains 30 grams of protein, to help you fill up (protein is super satisfying) but not out. It’s also a good source of B vitamins and iron to keep you energetic and strong long after the meal and into Black Friday shopping. Spices are key to any dish not just for flavor but for a healthy dose of antioxidant goodness with virtually no cals. Get the recipe
Wild Rice & Bulgur Stuffing
If you’re over traditional bread stuffing, try this updated recipe for some serious texture and flavor. Bulgur and wild rice are hearty, delish, and loaded with fiber (white bread stuffing can’t come close to saying that!). Celery isn’t just a crunchy filler food, it contains fiber and is also known to have a compound that lowers the concentration of stress hormones in your blood. We can all use that. Parsley looks pretty and may help flush out excess bloat. Sounds good to us. Want in? Get the recipe
Pumpkin Soufflé
Pumpkin’s gorgeous orange hue comes from beta-carotene, a cancer-fighting antioxidant that also promotes healthy vision and builds immunity. Toss in some cinnamon (known to help reduce stress) and you just may have your new go-to holiday dish. Get the recipe
The Nutritious Life Editors are a team of healthy lifestyle enthusiasts who not only subscribe to — and live! — the 8 Pillars of a Nutritious Life, but also have access to some of the savviest thought leaders in the health and wellness space — including our founder and resident dietitian, Keri Glassman. From the hottest trends in wellness to the latest medical science, we stay on top of it all in order to deliver the info YOU need to live your most nutritious life.
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