This is a light & healthy Thanksgiving roundup. First of all, the recipes are lighter versions of traditional favorites or healthy and delicious in their own right. Second, I’m only covering the two major players: sides and desserts. I thought about doing a roundup of the entire meal, including apps and roast turkey recipes.

But let’s be real – sides and desserts the best part of Thanksgiving. The rest is…gravy. Bad joke, but some of it is actually gravy.

Turkey is good, fine, sure. But seeing as almost any photo of a Thanksgiving plate is a smorgasbord of sides with some turkey wedged in, I feel pretty confident you wouldn’t mind a few new recipes.

In the comments, I invite you to share links to your favorite lightened-up recipes – whatever course they may be!

Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes:

Sweet Potatoes:

1. Lightened Up Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Oat Streusel – Ambitious Kitchen

2. Sweet Potato Casserole – Cooking Light

3. Maple-Pecan Sweet Potatoes – Cooking Light

Vegetables:

4. Roasted Vegetables (check out the simple sides in this roundup) – Caroline Kaufman Nutrition

5. Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Maple, Walnuts & Feta – The Law Student’s Wife

6. Delicious Brussels Sprouts – fANNEtastic food

7. Roasted Green Beans with Balsamic, Mushrooms and Parmesan – Kalyn’s Kitchen

8. Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Pistachios and Lemons – With Style and Grace

9. A Simple Salad:

Toss fresh salad greens with a vinaigrette (or simply lemon juice and olive oil), and serve. Shave Parmesan cheese on top if you feel fancy. Toss in chopped cucumbers and cherry tomatoes if you want more crunch. I find a simple salad completely refreshing next to the warm side dishes and turkey.

Rices & Stuffings:

10. Sourdough Stuffing with Mushrooms, Apples & Sage – two peas & their pod

11. Wild Rice Pilaf with Squash, Cranberries and Pecans – Good Dinner Mom

12. Mushroom, Fennel, and Quinoa Stuffing (Gluten Free) – Skinnytaste

13. Buttermilk and Herb Stuffing Muffins – Health

Lighter Thanksgiving Desserts:

Chocolate:

14. Healthy Chocolate Pecan Pie – Chocolate Covered Katie

15. Chocolate Swirl Pumpkin Pie – Healthy Seasonal Recipes

Cranberry & Apple:

16. Cranberry Maple Apple Crumb Pie – Healthy Seasonal Recipes

17. Cranberry Upside-Down Cake – EatingWell (I’ve made this cake twice and it’s wonderful. Everyone always loves it! If you’re having people stay with you, it’s a cozy treat to have out at breakfast)

18. Mini Apple Pie Tartlets with Pecan Streusel – Joyful Healthy Eats

Pecan:

19. Pecan Pie – Simply Recipes

Pumpkin:

20. Holiday Pumpkin Pie – EatingWell (I’ve made their pie in this Real Simple crust and it turned out beautifully!)

21. Whole Wheat Crustless Pumpkin Pie Bars (Dairy Free Option) – Food Doodles

22. 20-Minute Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Parfait – The Scrumptious Pumpkin

23. Coconut Pumpkin Pie – Nutrition Twins

24. Skinny Pumpkin Pie – Skinnytaste

25. Mini Maple Pumpkin Pies – Joy Bauer

Pin The Recipes for Later ->

2 Tips for Mindful Eating on Thanksgiving:

1. I recommend you start off by taking less than you think you’re hungry for – remember that your eyes are bigger than your stomach, and you can always go back for seconds. Fill half your plate with veggie sides (not you, creamed spinach!), one quarter with a starchy side like stuffing, and 1/4 with protein like turkey. If you’re still hungry, go back for seconds but take less than you did the first time. Follow the same plate configuration.

2. And if there’s an option to use a salad plate instead of a dinner plate, use it. You’ll eat less and still feel satisfied.

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If you are celebrating, have a happy Thanksgiving! And join me next Thursday for a roundup of recipes featuring Thanksgiving LEFTOVERS…

In the comments, share what you’re making for Thanksgiving (or looking forward to eating) and link to your favorite lightened-up recipe:

xx, Caroline