The holidays are upon us. Though Halloween has passed, Thanksgiving is just around the corner. And with this wonderful holiday come a variety of unwanted calories. From the sides you eat with your turkey and ham to the snacks you munch on throughout the course of the week, a lot of calories go in to making Thanksgiving a weighty holiday.
This year, start some new traditions in the kitchen. Instead of the traditional dressing, full of foods and calories that go straight to your hips, opt for healthier alternatives that keep you and your family healthy and active. Consider the following alternatives for your Thanksgiving meal.
The first side dish is baked fries. French fries are all too well known for their incredibly high levels of sodium. However, when you choose this alternative, you’ll have fries that taste great and keep even the pickiest of eaters satisfied. Baked sweet potato fries are a great alternative for Thanksgiving. They incorporate sweet potatoes, a Thanksgiving must-have, without being used in a pie or other unhealthy form.
To make sweet potato fries you will need one pound of sweet potatoes, one-fourth teaspoon of salt, one-fourth teaspoon of black pepper, and one tablespoon of vegetable oil. And the best part, it only takes about half an hour to prepare. One of the most important factors in making sweet potato fries is to bake them. If you bust out the frying pan for this side dish, you lose the nutritional value.
If you aren’t a pro in the kitchen, and let’s face it, a lot of us aren’t, it’s important to do a little bit of research on health and cooking. Of course, it’s important to avoid fried foods, but that’s a difficult task to accomplish. This Thanksgiving, give it a try and see what kind of new traditions you come up with.
This next side dish is a great alternative to a casserole filled with unnecessary calories. Rice-stuffed squash is perfect for family looking to get their fill of vegetables. For this side dish, you need a small winter squash. Cut out the center and fill it with wild rice, white rice, chestnuts, mozzarella cheese, and chestnuts. All of these healthy ingredients create a tasty and nutritious side dish.
There are endless possibilities in the kitchen. Try to create your very own healthy side dishes. And when Thanksgiving is over, stick with your new tradition. Look for healthy meals for the family year round. Learn about different food groups and how many calories are necessary for daily intake. The more knowledge you gain, the better off you will be.
One of the best side dishes you can indulge in is bread. Whether your family opts for biscuits or rolls, eating bread is a great way to soak in all of the other side dishes. However, bread can be a calorie absorber. If you are looking for alternatives, consider tomato biscuits. Ingredients necessary for this side dish include drop biscuits, yogurt, and fresh tomato.
Try to incorporate all of the vital food groups in your holiday meal this year.
