Thanksgiving is right around the corner! This is the time when many people fall off of the bandwagon during their weight loss journey. Set yourself up for success with these healthy recipes that taste great and are diet-friendly.

No Heavy Cream Butternut Squash Soup

Heavy cream can be found in many holiday soups and it’s always where the most calories come from. The fat content in heavy cream outweighs the nutritional benefits of the soup but you don’t want to show up empty handed at your family’s dinner. So try this heavy cream-free soup instead. Just don’t mention the absence of the heavy cream. They’ll never know the difference.

Ingredients:

• 1 butternut squash (peeled with seeds removed)
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter (grass fed, if possible)
• 1 medium onion (chopped up)
• 6 cups of chicken stock (low fat)
• Nutmeg (to taste)
• Salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)

Directions:

• Cut squash into 1-inch squares.
• In a large pot, melt the butter.
• Once melted, add onion and cook for 5 to 8 minutes.
• Add the squash squares and chicken stock.
• Bring to a simmer and cook the squash until it is tender, not mushy (15 to 20 minutes).
• Place the squash squares in a blender and puree.
• Place the squash puree back in the pot and season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper to your taste.

Tasty Greens Kale Salad

While turkey and pie get the spotlight, one thing that seems to be missing are the greens! Thanksgiving dinner is no time to skip on those healthy salads and veggies. Bring this kale-based salad to your family dinner and watch it disappear.

Ingredients:

• 2 bags or large bunches of organic kale
• ½ cup of low fat Parmesan cheese or soy cheese
• 1/3 cup of grapeseed or sunflower oil
• 1/4 cup of lemon juice
• 3 to 4 cloves of garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon of fermented soy sauce
• ½ teaspoon of black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon of salt

Directions:

• First, remove the leaves from the stems of the kale.
• Wash and dry the leaves.
• Chop the kale into small pieces and place in a large bowl.
• Mix in the cheese, oil, lemon juice, garlic, soy sauce, pepper and salt.
• Be sure to thoroughly mix the salad with your hands.
• Season more to taste (if needed).

Healthy Pumpkin Pie

What is Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie? Pumpkin pie is the trademark dessert for the holiday but the sugar content can add up quickly. Try out this coconut sugar-based pie and prepare to wow your family.

Ingredients:

• 1 can (15oz) of pumpkin puree
• 1 can (13.5oz) of natural coconut milk
• ¼ cup of natural rolled oats
• 2 tablespoons of ground flax powder
• 1/3 cup of coconut sugar
• 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons of cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract

Directions:

• Preheat your oven to 400F.
• Mix all of the ingredients together with a mixer until smooth.
• Pour into a prepared pie crust (preferably gluten free).
• Bake for 35 to 40 minutes (pending on oven).
• Let it cool then refrigerate for at least 5 hours.

Tell Us What You Think! Have you tried any of our recipes?

How did they turn out?
Do you have your own healthy holiday recipes?

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