Last Minute Ingredient Substitutions for a Healthy Thanksgiving!

Are you among those people who leave Thanksgiving cooking for the last minute? Well, fear not. There’s still time to make your favorite traditional dishes healthy!

Thanksgiving is the number one holiday where people tend to overeat. By following the healthy substitution tips below, you can significantly cut down on calories, fat, sugar, sodium, and cholesterol. Odds are your family won’t be able to taste the difference!

These substitutions can easily be found in your grocery store and may even be already stocked in your kitchen.

Original Ingredient	Healthy Substitutions	Nutritional Benefits
1 whole egg	2 egg whites	Reduce cholesterol Double protein
Whole or 2% milk	1% or skim milk	Reduce calories and fat
Sour cream	Greek yogurt, low fat cottage cheese	Reduce calories and fat
Cheese (cheddar, swiss, ect.)	Reduced or fat free cheese	Reduce calories and fat
Whole milk mozzarella cheese	Part-skim or fat free mozzarella cheese	Reduce calories and fat
Butter	Margarine made with canola or olive oil	Reduce calories and fat
Bread crumbs	Rolled oats, crushed high fiber cereal	Reduce sodium Increase fiber
Dark meat poultry	Skinless white meat poultry	Reduce calories and fat
Croutons	Unsalted nuts (almonds, walnuts)	Reduce sodium and trans fat Increase “healthier fats”
Salt	Herb blends	Reduce sodium
Canned beans	Dried beans	Reduce sodium

Be sure to try my moist low fat stuffing recipe this Thanksgiving! Not only is it healthy but it’s easy to make and tastes delicious!

Very Moist Low fat Stuffing

Serves: 8 (1/2 cup serving)

Ingredients

2 cups diced onions

2 cups diced celery

2 cups fat free chicken stock

½ tablespoon poultry seasoning

8 cups cubed bread (must have a firm texture)

Hint: Use a loaf of “Stuffing Bread” found in most major supermarkets this time of year.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Place the onions, celery, chicken stock, and poultry seasoning in a saucepan and simmer for 20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender and liquid is reduced by half.

3. Place the cubes of bread in a large bowl and pour the still warm onion mixture over bread. Toss to mix.

4. Place mixture in a baking dish sprayed with non-stick spray. Cover with aluminum foil and bake in preheated oven.

What food substitutions did you make this Thanksgiving?