By SAND Member: Sarah Goldman
Tis the season…to gorge on fatty foods, sweet treats, and large portions! It seems as if the holidays always take us off course from maintaining our healthy habits. But does it have to be that way? No! There are so many ways to vary dishes and swap out unhealthy ingredients while still keeping all the flavor. When I sit down at the Thanksgiving table there are a few things that I gravitate towards first to load on my plate: sweet potatoes, greens, and mashed potatoes. Traditionally, all of these recipes are high in fat, calories, and added sugar, but how can we change these recipes without changing the flavor?
First: the sweet and starchy delight, sweet potatoes. Not only are sweet potatoes rich in vitamins and fiber, but they are brightly-colored, beautiful, and light up the Thanksgiving table. Normally, sweet potatoes are loaded with marshmallows, brown sugar, and all sorts of sugary additives for this meal, but what most don’t realize is that sweet potatoes are naturally sweet and packed with flavor. All they need is olive oil, pepper, and a dash of salt. Simply sweet and naturally delicious.
The green vegetables on the table typically include a number of creamy rich additives. At my Thanksgiving table, we typically have a green bean casserole loaded with fried onions and cream of mushroom soup. Yes, the fried and creamed additives may taste yummy, but they completely take away the natural texture of the green beans. In honor of Thanksgiving, we should be grateful for the natural essence of the products we use. All green beans need is just a touch of seasoning before preparing in the oven. Not only does it produce a tender bite, but a delicious natural flavor without the guilt.
Mashed potatoes….creamy, decadent, and oh so delicious, yet filled with heavy cream and butter. Coming from someone who absolutely loves mashed potatoes (and butter), there are so many ways to tweak individual ingredients to yield the exact same product, without taking away any substance of decadence. Simple swaps such as using Greek yogurt instead of cream, and yogurt-butter instead of regular butter, are two small adjustments that still produce the same creamy delicious product without all of the unnecessary calories.
Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy family, appreciate indulgent yummy foods, and relax. With these healthy twists, the holiday dinner table will be filled with not only delicious foods, but healthful options that feed both the mind and soul. Happy munching!
First: the sweet and starchy delight, sweet potatoes. Not only are sweet potatoes rich in vitamins and fiber, but they are brightly-colored, beautiful, and light up the Thanksgiving table. Normally, sweet potatoes are loaded with marshmallows, brown sugar, and all sorts of sugary additives for this meal, but what most don’t realize is that sweet potatoes are naturally sweet and packed with flavor. All they need is olive oil, pepper, and a dash of salt. Simply sweet and naturally delicious.
The green vegetables on the table typically include a number of creamy rich additives. At my Thanksgiving table, we typically have a green bean casserole loaded with fried onions and cream of mushroom soup. Yes, the fried and creamed additives may taste yummy, but they completely take away the natural texture of the green beans. In honor of Thanksgiving, we should be grateful for the natural essence of the products we use. All green beans need is just a touch of seasoning before preparing in the oven. Not only does it produce a tender bite, but a delicious natural flavor without the guilt.
Mashed potatoes….creamy, decadent, and oh so delicious, yet filled with heavy cream and butter. Coming from someone who absolutely loves mashed potatoes (and butter), there are so many ways to tweak individual ingredients to yield the exact same product, without taking away any substance of decadence. Simple swaps such as using Greek yogurt instead of cream, and yogurt-butter instead of regular butter, are two small adjustments that still produce the same creamy delicious product without all of the unnecessary calories.
Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy family, appreciate indulgent yummy foods, and relax. With these healthy twists, the holiday dinner table will be filled with not only delicious foods, but healthful options that feed both the mind and soul. Happy munching!