Lose Weight & Keep It -4 Healthy Food Swaps for Thanksgiving Dinner — NIHA | uxa2.com

 

Struggling with Stubborn Belly Fat That Just Won’t Go Away?

You’ve tried eating healthy. You’ve tried working out.
Yet those same problem areas remain… and it’s frustrating.

What if the real issue isn’t your diet…

but your body’s internal fat-burning switch?

FREE Training Video Reveals:

The Breakthrough Method to “Vaporize” Stubborn Fat Cells

(No extreme diets. No endless cardio. No stress.)

Discover how real people are finally burning fat, naturally and consistently.

Click below to watch your FREE training while it’s still online:

➡️ YES! Show Me The Free Video

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday! Gathering with friends and family as the seasons change, pausing to give thanks and savor delicious food and desserts. To make it even better – let’s consider some healthy food swaps to enjoy a great and rewarding day – without stomach upset and weight gain.

It’s important to enjoy the holidays with loved ones, but let’s consider food intake. The classic Thanksgiving menu, which includes mashed potatoes, bread stuffing, marshmallow toppings, pecan pie and gravy, is high in carbohydrates, sugar or fat. If you incorporate it into a meal, it can affect blood sugar and digestion, and you may have experienced the need to nap after a Thanksgiving meal.

Nutritious Thanksgiving Food Swaps (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, No Added Sugar)

1. Start your appetizers light with herbs and spices!

A. Roasted Pumpkin, Carrot and Ginger Soup

Calories (per 1 cup): ~120 cal

  • Pumpkin + carrot: 70
  • Aromatherapy + Olive Oil: 40
  • Coconut milk (optional): 10–15

Compared to traditional appetizers

Calories
This Pumpkin Ginger Soup 120
Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Cream 250–320
Butternut Squash Bisque (Cream Base) 280–350

↓ 50–65% fewer calories, dairy-free, and higher in fiber.
B. Cauliflower Rice Herb Pilaf

Calories (1 cup): ~90 kcal

  • Cauliflower rice: 25
  • Vegetables: 20
  • Olive oil: 40
  • Herbs: 5

Compared with traditional fillings

plate Calories
Cauliflower Pilaf 90
Classic bread filling 350–420
Sausage stuffing 450–550

↓ 75–85% fewer calories and gluten-free

2. Main course swap

A. Citrus Herb Roasted Turkey (no butter, no sugar)

Calories (4 ounces cooked turkey breast): ~160 cal

  • Pure Lean Protein
  • Just use olive oil + herbs

Compared to traditional turkey preparation

plate Calories
This Citrus Herb Turkey 160
Buttered turkey breast 240–300
Dark meat turkey with skin + butter 320–400

↓ 30–50% fewer calories than butter-based methods

B. Stuffed Acorn Squash with Quinoa and Spinach

Calories (½ serving of pumpkin): ~250 cal

  • Acorn squash: 80
  • Quinoa: 120
  • Spinach/walnuts/cranberries: 40–50

Compared to vegetarian entrees

plate Calories
This pumpkin filling 250
Vegetable Bread Seasoning Boats 380–450
Sweet Potato Casserole Appetizer 450–600

↓ 35–50% less calories and more micronutrients.

3. Better choice of side dishes, full of flavor

A. Mung Bean Almond

Calories (1 cup): ~140 cal

  • Mung beans: 35
  • Olive oil: 50
  • Almonds: 50
  • Lemon/garlic: 5 pcs

Compared to traditional green bean casserole

plate Calories
mung bean almond 140
Green Bean Casserole with Sautéed Onions 300–360

↓ 55–60% fewer calories, dairy-free, no processed ingredients

B. Garlic Cauliflower (Potato Substitute)

Calories (1 cup): ~110 cal

  • Cauliflower: 25
  • Olive oil: 60
  • Garlic: 10
  • Seasoning: 5

Compared to mashed potatoes with butter and cream

plate Calories
Cauliflower puree 110
traditional mashed potatoes 240–350

↓ 60–70% fewer calories and significantly lower glycemic load
C. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate

Calories (1 cup): ~130 cal

  • Brussels sprouts: 40
  • Olive oil: 60
  • Pomegranate: 30
Compared to Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts

plate Calories
Pomegranate Roasted Bean Sprouts 130
maple glazed buds 260–350

↓ ~ 50% fewer calories, sugar-free glaze
D. Sweet potato chunks (sugar-free)

Calories (1 cup baked wedges): ~150 cal

  • Sweet potatoes: 100 pcs
  • Olive oil: 45
  • Spices: 5
 Compared to Sweet Potato Casserole (Marshmallow)

plate Calories
sweet potato wedges 150
Sweet Potato Casserole 350–500

↓ Approximately 60–70% fewer calories, no sugar or marshmallow toppings

4. Desserts are healthy and nutritious!

A. Sugar-Free Apple Cinnamon Chia Seed Crisp

Calories (1 serving, 3/4 cup): ~210 cal

  • Apple: 80
  • Almond Flour Ingredients: 100
  • Chia seeds + coconut oil: 30

 Compared to apple crisp with sugar + oats

plate Calories
Sugar-free chia seed crisps 210
Traditional Apple Crisp 380–480

↓ 45–55% fewer calories without the sugar spike
B. Crustless Pumpkin Pie Custard

Calories (1 mold): ~180 cal

  • Pumpkin puree: 50
  • Eggs: 70
  • Coconut milk: 50
  • Spices: 10

 Compared to traditional pumpkin pie

plate Calories
Pumpkin Custard 180
Pumpkin Pie + Sugar 320–420

↓ 40–55% fewer calories, gluten-free, sugar-free
C. Berries-Coconut Whip

Calories (½ cup): ~110 cal

  • Berries: 40
  • Coconut milk: 60
  • Lemon peel: 0–5
 Compared to whipped cream desserts

plate Calories
berry whip 110
Fresh cream + berries 220–300
cheesecake bites 450–600

↓ 50–75% fewer calories and rich in antioxidants

Bottom Line – “Healthy Plate” vs. “Traditional Plate” Calories

Healthy plate examples

  • Pumpkin soup: 120
  • Turkey Breast: 160
  • Cauliflower puree: 110
  • Mung beans and almonds: 140
  • Brussels sprouts: 130
  • Pumpkin Custard: 180

Total: ~840 calories

 American Thanksgiving Plate

  • Cream soup: 280
  • Butter turkey: 300
  • Mashed potatoes: 300
  • Fillings: 400
  • Maple Brussels Sprouts: 300
  • Pumpkin pie slices: 350

Total: ~1,930 calories

Healthier choices can make a difference this holiday season. Healthier menus reduce calories by approximately 55-60% while increasing nutrient density.

Enjoy special time with family and friends, eat mindfully, and take a brisk walk after dinner.

+ Calorie comparison to traditional American dishes

Table of contents