HEALTHY HOLIDAY COOKING TIPS

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and all that festive food can make healthy eating a challenge. Americans put on half of our annual weight gain between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Even if it’s only a pound or two, it adds up year after year.

But, you can keep your family on track by starting with healthful cooking in your own home.

Below are a few suggestions to keep your holiday cooking healthy:

1. For the dips, use fat-free sour cream or nonfat Greek yogurt for the base.

2. Instead of whole milk, use skim milk, soy milk, rice milk or almond milk.

3. In place of mayonnaise, use an eggless mayonnaise, such as Veganaise, that contains healthy, non-hydrogenated oil.

4. Use vegetable spreads made from non-hydrogenated oils instead of butter.

5. Instead of cream, try plain nonfat Greek yogurt or evaporated skim milk.

6. Make a toast with mineral water or sparkling cider instead of champagne.

7. Include lots of vegetables, both cooked and raw, with the meal.

8. Applesauce can replace oil in a cake recipe.

9. Instead of fat-and-caffeine-laden-chocolate, try making carob brownies, or carob-chip cookies.

10. In baking recipes that call for eggs, use egg whites to reduce cholesterol and fat.

11. Add some wholesomeness to your cookies by using whole-wheat flour in place of bleached white flour.

12. For dessert, try pies without the crust topped with fat-free whipped topping or fat-free sorbet.

13. Include fresh fruit with any dessert offerings.

For some great healthy Thanksgiving recipes, check out this website. Please share your own tips & recipes by adding a comment below.