Thanksgiving is almost upon us! Are you worried about what you are going to make or what you are going to eat? Being on a restricted diet, regardless of the reason – food sensitivities, celiac, weight loss, digestive issues, hormonal reasons, or wanting to just stay healthy – it can make the holidays even more stressful.
I scoured the internet for healthy and allergy friendly recipes for this Thanksgiving. I know everyone has their favorite Thanksgiving dish (find out mine in the recipes below!) and did my best to include them all. I have not tried some of these recipes, but assure you that they look delicious!
RECIPES ARE:
- Gluten free
- Dairy free
- I had patients ask for recipes that are acceptable if following a diet to treat candida overgrowth, and those will be noted.
Here are your healthy alternatives to a traditional meal!
APPETIZER – Spinach and Artichoke Dip with cashew cream. Be sure to soak the cashews over night which will make it easier to blend them into a cream. You can serve this with veggies and gluten-free crackers. If your guests are thirsty, you might remember this skinny beverage. **Ok on candida diet
THE TURKEY – Step one is purchasing a healthy turkey. Free-range, organic, and locally raised are best. Check with a local farmer or a health food store. Beware of turkeys with pre-injected base as these often contain gluten. Try this Gluten Free Turkey.Your turkey will be more moist and flavorful if you let it sit in the brine over night. *Skip the sugar in the dry rub and this is candida friendly.
STUFFING: I suggest cooking this outside of the turkey. This is a simple dish to make vegetarian if you need to. For my candida readers, skip this dish and load up on the others!
Create your own adventure with this fun recipe. You can purchase gluten free bread from a local bakery or health food store.
https://www.seriouseats.com/2011/11/how-to-make-the-best-gluten-free-stuffing.html
POTATOES and GRAVY: Have you tried Mashed Cauliflower yet?? Sooo worth it! And these mashers are more simple than they sound.
EXTRAS: Dairy Free Sour Cream and Paleo Gravy
SWEET POTATOES: The best part of the meal right here! My favorite dish growing up was always yams with marshmallows on top. Here is an upgraded version of a traditional dish – Sweet Potato Casserole! *Candida diet – bake a plain sweet potato instead!
GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE: Is this one of your favorites? Here is a gluten and dairy free spin on the casserole! *Skip this dish if you are on the candida diet.
That should have you covered for the most part! Thank you all so much for reading! I am so grateful to practice medicine I feel so passionate about. I am thankful for every single patient, and if that is you, thank you for trusting me with your health. It is a responsibility I do not take lightly.
Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!
With a grateful heart,
Dr. Katie Corazzo