Photo Credit: @haileybieber
The Holidays are filled with all of the best traditions and the best dishes. It's also where people tend to feel like they over-indulge and feel bad for overeating. But, you can still eat well & stay on track while enjoying all of the traditional recipes with a few simple modifications. If you don't have control over what's being served, try and eat before you attend Thanksgiving dinner, and be sure to eat a nourishing/satisfying breakfast to prevent any over-indulgence. Be sure to scroll down to the bottom for all my practical tips to feel good on thanksgiving or on any holiday!
The recipe above calls for eggs, but you can easily substitute those for flax or chia eggs. Find the recipe for flax or chia eggs in my Egg Replacement post here
I love this vegan version of candied sweet potatoes but prefer to use marshmallows as a topping (it's tradition!), but if you go for the pecan topping - I suggest replacing the brown sugar with coconut sugar, which works well as a 1:1 replacement.
This is another great option I've used for sweet potatoes without any refined sugar! I love the whipped marshmallow topping. When you click the link *Scroll Down* the page for the recipe.
These garlic mashed potatoes serve up a twist with a dose of cauliflower - which is full of vitamin C, B-complex, minerals and other healing properties. Serve with or without the gravy!
I love this simple (refined sugar-free) cranberry sauce! It's very simple to make ahead of time and adds so much flavor to the meal. No modifications are necessary and far healthier than any canned cranberry sauce!
Finding junk-free marshmallows isn't easy, but they do exist! I order the marshmallows I use for sweet potatoes from Cocobakes but there can be a waiting list, and they sell out fast. Sign up for the back-in-stock notification. Otherwise, this recipe might come in handy as a backup!
This may not be a traditional Thanksgiving dessert, but it's one of my favorites around the holidays because it is a great *vegan* treat before or after dinner with a cup of tea.
A FEW PRACTICAL TIPS FOR FEELING GOOD ON THANKSGIVING:
Before going to a dinner where you may not have complete control over the menu, eat something healthy at home, so you don't eat something you usually wouldn't just because you're hungry.
Eat a healthy breakfast and well-balanced lunch with protein, so you are satisfied. Don't skip a meal just to save room for thanksgiving dinner.
Drink some peppermint or ginger tea after a heavy meal or dessert to help digestion and balance your blood sugar levels.
Make recipe modifications! Replace regular refined sugar in any recipe with coconut sugar. Coconut sugar works as a 1:1 replacement for regular sugar, and you won't even notice the difference! Choose gluten-free or grain-free flour over regular flour and gluten-free bread. I love the dinner rolls from Bread SRSLY.
Schedule a morning workout on thanksgiving or go for a walk during the day - it will make you feel good - the day doesn't have to just be about sitting around eating (unless you want it to be)!
Maintain your regular meditation practice. If you don't have one, this might be the perfect time to develop one! The holidays are a joyous time, but they can also induce a lot of stress and overwhelm. It can also bring on tension and triggers. Find time for yourself to meditate for 10 or 20 minutes during the day, and if you feel yourself getting worked up or overwhelmed – take a time out!
Hungover? Prevent a hangover by drinking water in between drinks, and coconut water for electrolytes before you sleep. Drink some lemon water when you wake up too!
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