Thanksgiving Dinner

Before you indulge in that Krispy Kreme bread pudding favored by a certain Food Network celebrity chef, step back and weigh your options.

Tips on How to Make this Year’s Feast Healthy and Delicious

Thanksgiving Dinner Before you indulge in that Krispy Kreme bread pudding favored by a certain Food Network celebrity chef (“That’s two whole sticks of butter, y’all!”), step back and weigh your options. This sweet treat can set you back more than 600 calories!

In fact, the average plate for Thanksgiving dinner comes in at around 3,500-4,500 calories – more calories than some of us need in two days! No wonder the average American adult gains 1-2 pounds each year.But for many, a Thanksgiving table full of foods like these is not unheard of.

Instead of becoming a statistic, swap out your Turkey Day favorites with alternatives hand picked by a UVA Health System nutritionist.

Here’s a side-by-side look at how the calories add up:

A Nutritionist’s Thanksgiving (Below, find links to recipes)	A Traditional Thanksgiving**
Roasted Turkey Breast, no skin 170 calories per 4-oz serving	Deep-Fried Turkey Breast, no skin 413 calories per 4-oz serving
Garlic Mashed Potatoes 167 calories, 201 mg sodium per ¾-cup serving	Garlic Mashed Potatoes 171 calories, 30 mg sodium per ¾-cup serving
Green Bean Casserole 130 calories, 491 mg sodium per 1-cup serving	Green Bean Casserole 276 calories, 649 mg sodium per 1-cup serving
Whole Wheat Bread Stuffing 100 calories, 343 mg sodium per ¾-cup servin	Sausage cornbread stuffing 373 calories, 686 mg sodium per ¾-cup serving
Frozen Pumpkin Mousse Pie 230 calories, 179 mg sodium per slice	Pecan-Topped Pumpkin Pie 579 calories, 235 mg sodium per slice
Cranberry Cherry Relish 19 calories, 1 mg sodium per Tb	Cranberry Relish 63 calories, 2 mg Sodium per 2 Tb
Portobello Gravy 44 calories, 100 mg Sodium per ¼ cup serving	Pan Gravy 77 calories, 25 6mg sodium per ¼-cup serving
Soft Whole-Wheat Dinner Rolls 154 calories, 137 mg sodium per roll	Parker House Yeast Dinner Roll 263 calories, 254 mg sodium per roll
TOTAL: 1014 CALORIES	TOTAL: 2215 CALORIES

Recipes for a Healthier Thanksgiving Meal

Garlic Mashed Potatoes
tasteofhome.com/recipes/Garlic-Mashed-Potatoes

Green Bean Casserole
eatingwell.com/recipes/green_bean_casserole.html

Cranberry Cherry Relish
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/cranberry_cherry_relish.html

Frozen Pumpkin Mousse Pie
eatingwell.com/recipes/frozen_pumpkin_mousse_pie.html

Portobello Gravy
eatingwell.com/recipes/portobello_gravy.html

Soft Whole Wheat Dinner Roll
eatingwell.com/recipes/soft_whole_wheat_dinner_rolls.html

Make Healthy Choices

Remember, Thanksgiving is about spending time with family and friends, so don’t let calorie counting consume your day. Planning ahead will help you enjoy the family celebration without the worry. The healthier choices you make now will mean more happy Thanksgivings for you and your family in the future.

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Thanksgiving Dinner

Here’s a side-by-side look at how the calories add up:

Recipes for a Healthier Thanksgiving Meal

Make Healthy Choices

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Sections

Thanksgiving Dinner

Here’s a side-by-side look at how the calories add up:

Recipes for a Healthier Thanksgiving Meal

Make Healthy Choices

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