No holiday centers around food more than Thanksgiving Day, but you might think you have to pass on your favorite dishes if you're trying to eat healthy. Think again! There are plenty of healthy recipes with just a few ingredient tweaks for a big nutritional payoff.
Check out these healthier spins on all your favorite sides and desserts to give your table a healthy boost.
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Healthier Versions of Your Favorite Thanksgiving Dishes
Written by
Jackie Veling
Soft and Fluffy Whole Wheat Rolls
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No need to skip the bread basket this year! These dinner rolls are 100-percent whole wheat, and the recipe even includes suggestions for making them gluten-free or dairy-free depending on your dietary preferences.
Low-Fat Cornbread
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This lighter version of cornbread uses unsweetened applesauce to cut some of the fat and calories while still tasting delicious.
3-Ingredient Cranberry Sauce
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Cranberry sauces are often packed with added white sugar, but this healthier version calls for only three ingredients–whole cranberries, diced pineapple and diced apple–meaning the sweetness is all-natural.
Skinny Sweet Potato Casserole
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Who doesn't love sweet potato casserole? Well, you'll love it even more this year knowing this vegan recipe uses only natural sweeteners and dairy-free ingredients.
Best Ever Paleo Stuffing
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They don't call it stuffing by accident! Leave the table a little less stuffed this year thanks to this recipe that includes wholesome ingredients and plenty of produce, like onions, bell peppers, mushrooms and more.
Whole30 Vegan Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
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No need to spend hours slaving away over a side dish. Simply throw these ingredients into a slow-cooker and call it a day. With Whole30-approved ingredients, you can feel good about these potatoes.
Vegetarian Mushroom Gravy
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This vegetarian version doesn't sacrifice the richness and texture of traditional gravy. It also uses real mushrooms and onions, so no powders here.
Lightened-Up Green Bean Casserole
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This casserole comes together in under 30 minutes and cuts out the super-processed ingredients often found in canned soup. It even includes a no-dairy alternative.
Paleo and Refined Sugar-Free Pumpkin Pie
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What's Thanksgiving without a slice of pumpkin pie? And no matter your health goals, you can indulge in this version that has a super clean ingredient list, is gluten-free and uses only natural sweeteners.
Vegan No-Bake Pecan Pie Mini Tarts
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If pecan pie is more your speed, try this innovative no-bake version that uses ingredients like oats, dates, coconut oil and pure maple syrup. And because it's bite-sized, you won't have to worry about portion control.
Gluten-Free Apple Pie
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Take your classic pie and elevate it with just a couple of tweaks that make this version gluten-free while still maintaining the moist buttery crust you know and love.
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