Thanksgiving: Healthier Side Dishes
As people learn more about the importance of nutrition, and what it means to actually eat healthy food, a new movement towards the modification of meals has become very popular. Families and individuals looking for more healthy food have given rise to more healthy side dishes. Are you one of the people looking to make this switch? Then the following side dishes will be perfect for you, as they are delicious and great for Thanksgiving and other holidays!
Carrot Fries with Parmesan
Fried potatoes are one of the most popular sides in the world, but the process that cooks them can add an unbelievable amount of fat and salt to this great tasting side. One amazing substitution would be carrots and the method of cooking. Carrot fries covered in parmesan and basil can be a welcome replacement for you, and people of all ages love them. Set an oven to be preheated to 450 degrees, then place the carrots cut into thin fries and rubbed with olive oil and a cookie sheet into the oven. In 15 – 20 minutes, or once the outer shell of the carrots is slightly crispy you can remove then and sprinkle them with sea salt, freshly minced basil, and grated parmesan cheese.
Roasted Green Beans
Green beans make a great side dish no matter what time of year it is. This very recipe is very similar to the one above, but its impact on your meal could be massive. Set the over once again to 450 degrees while you rub the green beans in olive oil. For additional flavor, you can also toss the oiled green beans in some garlic. Arrange them on a cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then top with parmesan.
Low-Fat Potato Soup
Soup will always be a great side dish for thanksgiving. This soup replaces butter with olive oil, and replaces sour cream with yogurt, giving you a wonderful and smooth texture. Simply boil your potatoes until they are the correct texture and softness, then remove some of the skin, leaving a small bit for fiber, and mash in a bowl. Then add your olive oil and yogurt until it reaches a consistency that you enjoy. Salt and pepper it to your tastes and add some minced green onion for flavor. Minced garlic can be optional.
Harvest Soup
Another soup option for a side dish (or a main dish on another day) is a smooth butternut squash soup with a little kick. This roasted harvest soup could be its own course as well. But its use of lovely fall flavors will please your guests!
Roasted Fall Harvest Soup
Ingredients
- 3 cups butternut squash, cubed
- 3 firm apples, cubed
- 1 medium red onion, chopped
- 1 Tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- 2 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
- 4-5 cups chicken broth, preferably organic, divided
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper or a Silpat® baking mat. Set aside.
- Combine butternut squash, apples, red onion, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and melted coconut oil in a large bowl. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and toss to combine.
- Spread seasoned butternut squash mixture onto a prepared baking sheet and spread into a
single layer. Place in preheated oven and roast until squash is fork-tender, approximately 25-30 minutes. - Remove from oven and let cool slightly before transferring one-quarter of the roasted
veggie mixture to a high-powered blender. Add one cup of chicken broth to container and blend until smooth. Add a little more broth, if necessary, to reach desired consistency. - Transfer puree to a large soup pot and repeat process with remaining vegetables and
chicken broth. Turn heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently, until soup is heated through, approximately 5-10 minutes. - Remove from heat and adjust seasonings, as desired, before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
Use these ideas to add variety to your Thanksgiving dinner!
Other ideas for the day: Lighter Appetizers
Loving Life — The Reboot!
Dominique
This article provides general information and discussion about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this article, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.
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