Healthy Thanksgiving Food and Recipes

Here in the US we’re coming up on Thanksgiving which typically means… ALL THE FOOD! Whether you follow a specific diet, or are simply trying to keep it healthy, the Thanksgiving dinner table can be tough to navigate – what to eat, what to avoid, and all the extra options available to you.

I’m here to remind you that you can enjoy your Thanksgiving (or any special meal for that matter) and still feel amazing after.

In this two-part series I’m sharing my favorite recipes and tips for navigating the holiday meals with ease. Today I’m sharing how to upgrade your favorite Thanksgiving foods, plus a few of my healthy holiday recipes.

How to Keep It Healthy for the Holidays

Load up on the veggies – You know how much I love my veggies but I get that getting them in can be a challenge, especially on a day that’s known for stuffing and pecan pie!

This is one of my OG secret tips for making ANY vegetable taste better: Drizzle on some real honey and you’ll forget that you’re even eating vegetables! Honey, when used in its natural form, has so many key nutrients that are beneficial for your bod. FYI on choosing honey – it’s important that you choose 100% raw, unfiltered honey, like Nature Nate’s. A lot of the big brands you see in stores have fillers, pesticides, corn syrup (just like fake maple syrup!) so be sure to read your ingredient labels.

Here are some bomb veggie recipes:

Kale Salad with Pear and Walnuts

Honey Dijon Brussel Sprouts

Roasted Squash with Curry and Turmeric

Healing Greens Soup (for after!)

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate… except when you’re eating! Hydration is key for energy and digestion, and especially important around the holidays when we’re eating (and some of us drinking) more than usual. Get yourself a huge glass of water with lemon so you can sip while you cook and socialize. If you’re drinking alcohol, alternate alcoholic beverages with water, sparkling water or even kombucha (it’s the oldest trick in the book, because it WORKS).

Here are some of my favorite naturally detoxifying and hydrating beverages:

Spiced Apple Water

Sugar Cravings Calmer Tea

Nettle Tea

Opt for naturally sweet foods. Make sure that you’re including some naturally sweet foods in your diet such as fruit and root vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and more. I know when I have these foods in my meals, I’m less likely to go overboard with desserts and refined sweets, and only say YES to the treats I really, really want to eat.

Here are some of my favorite naturally sweet recipes:

Cauliflower, Parsnip and Apple Mash

Sweet Potato Cakes

GF Spiced Apple & Pear Crumble

What’s your FAVORITE healthy holiday dish? Leave a comment below and let me know {bonus points if you can share the recipe!}