Tips for a Great Low Fat Thanksgiving Feast

With the holidays right around the corner many of us start thinking about our waistlines. For some of us just the thought of that Thanksgiving feast leaves you worried about eating too much fatty foods or overeating. Not to mention what all that fat can do to your heart and arteries. So here are some tips to help you enjoy Thanksgiving without the worry of expanding your waistline, while maintaining your health.

Most of the traditional foods served during the holidays are actually very healthy. But what we do to them is another story. We tend to add in a lot of extra fat sugars and calories ourselves.

When you look at the basic foods we eat during the holidays you will find that turkey has very little fat and is full of protein and is a great source of B vitamins. Turkey breast has the least amount of fat, but be sure to remove the skin first. A three-ounce serving of skinless turkey breast has about 120 calories and 1 gram of fat. But the dark meat has about 160 calories and six grams of fat – two of the grams of fat are saturated fats.

Sweet potatoes are a rich source of beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium and fiber. But many of us tend to add butter and excess sugar or marshmallows. This changes a healthy food into something very fattening and bad for our hearts and circulation. Try using orange juice and a sprinkling of brown sugar for flavor instead and limit your portion size to no more than half a cup.

Regular potatoes are also an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. When making mashed potatoes try using low sodium, fat free chicken broth or fat free milk and sour cream instead. Many of us use butter and heavy cream in our mashed potatoes and of course they are loaded with fat. Try flavoring with garlic, fresh herbs and ground black pepper, once again keep your portion size small.

Vegetables should be steamed or roasted for the best nutritional value. Don’t load them up with cheesy sauces or butter that just makes them more fattening.

Gravy and stuffing can be sources of fat and calories. You can make a lower fat gravy by straining the fat from the drippings using a fat separator. Also use cornstarch or a sprinkling of flour to thicken rather than a butter and flour. You can also add extra flavor to your gravy by using fresh herbs and wine.

You can make a low fat stuffing by leaving the butter out and using fat-free broth and lean turkey or chicken sausage instead of pork sausage. Or better yet, leave the sausage out if you like, and use meaty mushrooms and extra vegetables instead.

As for appetizers, have plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables on hand. Use low-fat or fat-free sour cream and yogurt for dips. Delicious low-fat dips can include Spinach Dip or some salsas, including Mango Black Bean Salsa. Have homemade baked pita chips or tortilla chips to go with them. Nuts and dried fruits make great snacks, too.

Most importantly, don’t starve yourself beforehand. You will most likely eat more if you’re very hungry. Many times we tend to skip breakfast on the holidays because we are too busy and know there will be a big feast later. Don’t make the mistake of “saving yourself for the feast” This just causes us to eat way more then we should. Try some whole-grain crackers, fruit and raw vegetables while waiting for the big feast, and as always drink plenty of water. When the time comes to sit down to your Thanksgiving meal, you will be ready to enjoy it without overdoing it.