Easy Calorie Savings for Thanksgiving

by: AndreaDow
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Word Count: 586

• Jennie-O has a fresh oven ready turkey that goes directly from your freezer to the oven without the need for thawing.  It's pre-seasoned, cleaned and 4 ounces of the Butter, Garlic and Herb flavor has only 150 calories and 7 grams of fat. 
• Sip on fat free hot chocolate or apples cider instead of alchololic beverages that often contain more calories. 
• Roast sweet potatoes in the oven instead of mashing them and adding pecans, sugar, butter or marshmallows.  You can top roasted sweet potatoes with 1/2 cup chopped pecans, a dash of maple syrup and cinnamon.  You will save 150 calories, 3 grams of fat and 7 teaspoons of sugar per 1/2 cup serving.  
• For mashed potatoes, use low-fat buttermilk or 2% milk and just 2 tablespoons of butter (instead of cream and a stick of butter) per 2 pounds of potatoes.  With a 3/4 cup serving, you will save 170 calories and 19 grams of fat. 
• Save up to 70 calories when using skim milk instead of 2% milk for the mashed potatoes.
• Save around 80 calories when using whole wheat flour instaed of enriched white flour.
• Replace eggs in recipes with egg beaters to save 60 calories and 230 mg of cholesterol.
• If your dip recipe calls for mayonaise, use only 1/2 mayo and the rest a reduced fat sour cream.  You will save 100's of calories and tons of fat.
• Evaporated milk instead of whole milk can save 120 calories and 16 grams of fat per cup. 
• Use a reduced fat whip cream for your pumpkin pie.
• Eat your turkey naked....without the skin will save your over 100 calories and about 8 grams of fat.
• Cook green beens in healthier olive or canola oil as opposed to cooking in a creamy casserole. 
• Check out my blog on Mindful Moves at the dinner table to focus on eating consciously.
• Try to plan in some exercise during the day to kick-start your metabolism for the day.
• Do not starve yourself before you get to grandma's house.  You will likely eat more because you will be starving.  Eat a small well-rounded breakfast that contains some carbohydrates, protein and a little bit of fat.  Try whole grain cereal with some skim/soy milk and fruit.
• Enjoy your day of giving thanks!  Do not get stuck in counting your calories for the day.  Rather, sit back, relax and count your blessings in your friends, family and beautiful food on the table not your calories.