Delicious, Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes for the Digest Diet
Updated: Feb. 08, 2017These lightened-up Thanksgiving side dish recipes are packed with fat releasing foods, so guests will feel good about going back for seconds.
Apple-Hazelnut Stuffing
This version of classic stuffing has so many new flavors—like hazelnuts, apples, parsley, and rosemary—that your guests won’t even notice you cut back on fat and calories.
Fat releasers: celery, onion, carrot, parsley, rosemary, hazelnuts, apples
Makeover Home-Style Gravy
It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without gravy—and this version swaps some of the fat out with sherry and chicken broth.
Fat releasers: onion, carrot, celery, parsley, sage
Maple-Ginger Roasted Veggies
A big batch of seasonal vegetables—like parsnips, rutabagas, and turnips—is kicked up with ginger and sweetened with maple syrup (you could also blend honey and maple syrup).
Fat releasers: parsnips, carrots, sweet potatoes, carrots, onion, ginger
Crunchy Sweet Potato Casserole
This lightened-up take on everyone’s favorite sweet veggie is smooth, rich, and creamy inside, and gets a nice crunch on top from toasted pecans.
Fat releasers: sweet potatoes, milk, pecans
Baked Mashed Potatoes
Serve this makeover version of Patrician Potatoes (fluffy mashed potatoes mixed with cheese and sour cream, then baked) instead of regular mashed potatoes, for an extra decadent-seeming dish.
Fat releasers: Potatoes, chives, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, paprika
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Skip the high-calorie appetizers and set out a bowl of very filling, specialty homemade hummus with dippers. Its creamy texture and deep, rich flavor will win over any skeptics, even the pigs-in-a-blanket fans.
Fat releasers: red peppers, chickpeas, lemon, tahini, garlic, curry, coriander, cumin
Corn and Green Bean Casserole
This cheesy, easy bake has lots of vegetables, of course—but also enough creamy goodness to please.
Fat releasers: corn, green beans, reduced-fat sour cream, yogurt, cheddar cheese, onion, celery, green pepper