Many Trim Healthy Mama’s are feeling stressed about how they are going to stay on plan this Thanksgiving. This doesn't have to be you. Take a deep breath and let's break it down.
First, it is one meal or one day if you make the choice to eat off plan or have a treat that is fine, give yourself grace, your next slimming healthy meal is 3 hours away. Just get right back on plan, don't use it as an excuse to binge on everything off plan for days, set limits for yourself, one meal then back to the plan, or one day then back to plan.
Second, an THM crossover is a great choice. Yes you can most likely have a crossover at any Thanksgiving you attend will be possible. Will it always be perfectly on plan, no you will not know what is in things if you did not make it, but it can be close enough to allow you to enjoy your time with family and friends.
Let's take a look at the traditional foods enjoyed at Thanksgiving, so we can see what is on plan and what we can change if we are cooking to make it on plan.
Turkey, hey what can I say most likely it is on plan dark meat S, white meat FP.
Stuffing, the traditional way would not be on plan. You can make great stuffing that is on the THM plan here are 2 options
An S stuffing https://trimhealthymama.com/ezine-homepage-december-2017/trim-healthy-stuffing-wtrim-bouillon-mix/
An E stuffing
There are many other THM dressing recipes out there, just google THM stuffing recipes and you will find lots.
Mashed Potatoes, These are an on plan XO.
Don't want a XO make Mashed Fotatoes recipe on page 219 of the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook, or page 264 of Trim Healthy Table, or google cauliflower mashed potatoes and you will find many options.
Gravy, traditional gravy will not be on plan, I would skip it unless you know a THMer made it if you are trying to stay on plan.
On plan gravy can be made here is a recipe and bonus it has the mashed fotatoes too https://trimhealthymama.com/ezine-homepage-december-2017/mashed-fotatoes-wbasic-gravy/
Green Bean casserole, the traditional way this is made would not be on plan, but if you are going to eat as close as possible with what others cooked this would be a better choice than the stuffing or a sugar filled salad or dessert.
On plan versions can be found all over but here is one my family has enjoyed https://trimhealthymama.com/ezine-homepage-december-2017/green-bean-casserole/
Corn, is on plan since most is cooked with butter it would be a XO
Dinner rolls, not on plan as most traditional rolls are made with white flour
There are many ways to have on plan rolls at Thanksgiving here are some options
Here is a FP option https://wonderfullymadeanddearlyloved.com/wonderful-blender-buns-dinner-rolls-thm-fp/
A S option here https://blissfullyprepared.com/keto-dinner-rolls-no-cheese-thm-deep-s/
E option here https://aroundthefamilytableblog.com/2020/05/08/onion-and-chive-sourdough-dinner-rolls-thm-e-sugar-free-dairy-free-option/
Cranberry sauce, sorry the store bought it not on plan but it is not hard to make your own that is on plan https://www.facebook.com/TrimHealthyMama/posts/just-like-canned-cranberry-sauce-fp-mamas-this-recipe-is-sure-to-make-your-taste/1964663960254108/
Salads, most Thanksgiving tables have a few salads to choose from, sadly most of these traditional salads have sugar in them. When going to someone else's house for thanksgiving I would recommend offering to bring a salad so you know there is an on plan option. If that does not work for you, pick the least sweet option for a salad.
Here are some on plan salad options
Sweet and creamy coleslaw THC 230
Melissa’s amish broccoli salad THT 271
7 layer salad https://www.ohsweetmercy.com/low-carb-7-layer-salad/
Oh but we can not forget desserts here is where you will have to decided to stay on plan or have a treat. Be sure to consider how these will make you feel after eating them when making the choice. If you are looking for some THM pies that will help you stay on plan this year here are a few options
Pumpkin pie
Apple pie
Pecan pie
Here is one of my favorites that I plan on making for Thanksgiving this year Cranberry cheesecake
However you choose to approach Thanksgiving this year, remember it is your choice and you don’t have to feel any guilt. Meaning no guilt if you go off plan, or if you stay on plan and choose to not eat all the foods offered to you. Enjoy your time with family and friends how you want, but be sure if you go off plan it is not more than 1 day, just jump back on Friday morning with a nice deep S of spinach, kale, or cabbage and eggs, or even add in some bacon if you want.
Looking for a Coach to aid you in your THM journey, feel free to email me to set up a discovery call to see if I am the coach to help you.
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