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4 Healthy Thanksgiving Food Ideas

Fitday Editor
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Thanksgiving food is some of the most delicious fare that you'll eat all year long. In order to keep your family healthy enough to get together in the years to come, it is important to make healthy choices when it comes to planning your Thanksgiving dinner. Luckily, some of the most traditional Thanksgiving foods, such as turkey, sweet potatoes, cranberries, and apple pie, are also some of the healthiest foods that you can choose.

Turkey

Turkey has become almost synonymous with Thanksgiving, and for good reasons. Turkeys are one of the most commonly eaten foods on Thanksgiving day. Fortunately, turkey is also one of the healthiest foods that you can eat. Unlike beef and even chicken, turkey is almost fat free. This makes it a great choice for you and your family if you are interested in weight loss, or are dealing with certain health conditions such as cardiovascular disease or even diabetes. In addition, turkey is a rich protein source, thereby helping to keep your muscles, hair, and nails strong and healthy. To prepare the turkey in a manner that is as healthy as possible, avoid adding high amounts of butter or salt to the bird. Instead, consider using low sodium chicken broth when baking the turkey.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are another healthy food that are often eaten at Thanksgiving time and are gaining more and more recognition as a great, healthy food source. Unlike regular baking potatoes, which contain high amounts of simple carbohydrates, sweet potatoes are rich in fiber. This means that they can effectively help in the fight against obesity, cancer, and even cardiovascular disease. In addition, sweet potatoes contain numerous vitamins and minerals that your body needs to function properly.

Cranberries

Like turkey, Thanksgiving dinner would be nothing without the addition of a dish of cranberries. Like sweet potatoes, cranberries are rich in both fiber and vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C. Vitamin C may be especially important around Thanksgiving, as it can help boost your immune system, thereby preventing the development of cold and/or flu symptoms. When making cranberry sauce, try to keep it in its most natural state. This means avoiding adding high amounts of sugar to the sauce. Instead, try using applesauce as a sweetener. This will give the berries the moisture they need to cook, and will also impart a surprising flavor that will keep your guests happy.

Apple Pie

Finally, what is Thanksgiving without a great piece of pie for dessert?! Apple pie is a great choice when it comes to Thanksgiving. Not only are apples rich in fiber and vitamins, but the variety of spices that are used in apple pie also contain their own variety of different health benefits. When making an apple pie, try to use whole wheat flour for the crust. This will incorporate complex instead of simple carbohydrates into your pie, thereby increasing the health benefits even more. But to keep apple pie as healthy as possible, avoid topping it off with whipped cream or high-fat ice cream.

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