Ideas for a Heart-Healthy Thanksgiving

Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, rolls, and pumpkin pie must mean it’s Thanksgiving! The biggest meal of the year where we pile our plates high with mouth-watering food. 

However, overindulging on Thanksgiving fare that is full of fat, salt, and sugar is unwise for those with heart issues. Just because one cannot indulge, he/she should not miss out on the feast. There are plenty of healthy substitutions that will tickle your taste buds. 

• Vegetables- Make vegetables the star of the plate. Cook them with vinegar or citrus juices instead of butter and herbs. Use spices instead of salt. 
• Turkey- Skip the frozen turkey injected with sodium solution for a fresh turkey. 
• Stuffing- Use whole wheat bread instead of white bread in the stuffing. 
• Mashed Potatoes- Low sodium chicken broth instead of butter and cream in mashed potatoes adds flavor. 

• Sweet Potatoes- Skip the marshmallows in the sweet potatoes and sweeten with cinnamon. 
• Green Bean Casserole- Use low-fat milk in the green bean casserole instead of canned soup. 
• Cranberry Sauce- Make your cranberry sauce with fresh fruit and natural sweeteners. 
• Dessert- No meal is complete without dessert. Substitute the pie for baked apples or seasonal fruit. If baking, applesauce can replace butter and oil. Fat-free milk is healthier than cream, and whole wheat flour replaces white flour.

See the doctors at Carolina Heart and Leg Center, P.A. to discuss any concerns and they can give you the roadmap to a heart-healthy Thanksgiving dinner. 

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