Published: by Stephanie · 10 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links
These healthy, 21 Day Fix Thanksgiving recipes are the perfect secretly nutritious additions to your holiday dinner.
Hey guys! This post was originally published Nov 15, 2016 but I've recently updated it to include tons of new and delicious recipes! Hope this post is super helpful and you have your healthiest holiday yet!
Hey Fixers (and all healthy eaters)!
It's come to my attention that many of you are getting anxious about the holidays approaching. My social media feeds are filled with lines like "I don't know how I'm going to make this work." or "I'm so nervous about undoing all of my hard work."I hear you. And as always, I'm here for you. With some good news, in fact 🙂
So let's talk Thanksgiving. It's about to get real.
First of all, there is this terrible, raging myth that we gain a ton of weight over the holiday season. Thankfully, it just isn't true. The average American gains½ to 2 poundsbetween Thanksgiving and New Years. That's it.
And that's the average American. If you're following the 21 Day Fix, you're no average American, amiright? Hell no! You are a take-no-prisoners, weight lifting, healthy eating, fat-burning machine and there's no way that a handful of fatty meals are gonna take you down! Feeling pumped yet? You should, because you've completely got this.
That being said, I know that mentally many of us don't want to feel like we've just completely let go, not to mention the fact that if you've been following the 21 Day Fix for a while, all of that fatty, calorie-laden food makes you feel bad. Really bad. Sick even.
You may have experienced this already, I certainly have and it's definitely no fun, so here are a few tips if you're showing up to someone else's dinner table this Thanksgiving.
How to eat healthy on Thanksgiving:
- Save most or all of your yellows. Seriously, you know that table is going to be a total carb-fest. Be prepared. While you're at it, save your blue and your orange if you can. So in other words, try to stick to mostly protein and veggies beforehand.
- Bring a healthy side dish. Not only will your host freaking love you for taking something off his/her plate (btw, you should discuss this with said host ahead of time so that they don't make something similar or so that you can fill a hole in their meal plan), but you'll know that it's something you can fill your plate with sans guilt. Plus, if it's something completely fab (see ANY recipe below), there will be accolades - and everyone loves accolades. 😉
- If there are some healthier offerings available, definitely try to fill your belly with some of that stuff before you start drinking the gravy. Are there some roasted veggies on the table? A salad? A soup? Go for those bad boys first.
- When filling your plate, carefully choose what you put on it. What I mean is, make it worth it. Do you LOVE green bean casserole (of course you do, you're human, aren't you?) Put some on your plate. Do you usually get a piece of corn casserole but could take it or leave it? Then just leave it. Enjoy those things that you truly love, while leaving the things that you don't behind.
- Speaking of filling your plate, definitely keep portions in mind! Put larger portions of things like roasted veggies and turkey breast on your plate and smaller portions (trying to eyeball for yellows, if possible) of the heavier items like stuffing and mashed potatoes.
- Speaking of filling your plate (again) - fill it only once. I probably didn't even need to say that, but just in case, there it is! And if you really are still hungry after that first plate, load up on some extra salad or roasted veggies.
- Have some pie (or pumpkin tart!). I know, it's not a health tip, it's a life tip. You've been (literally) working your butt off. You deserve a piece of pie on Thanksgiving. Plus, who wants to live out the rest of their days sans pie? Not this girl! Balance, people! You got this.
Below is the ULTIMATE list of healthy, 21 Day Fix Thanksgiving recipes!
If you make any of these healthy Thanksgiving recipes, be sure to snap a pic and tag me @thefoodieandthefixon Instagramso I can check it out! It makes me ridiculously happy to see what you guys are making 🙂
Oh, and don't forget to pin these Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes to Pinterest! ⇓
21 Day Fix Thanksgiving Recipes
No one will know that these absolutely delicious Thanksgiving recipes are secretly healthy!
Appetizers
Mini Pear, Pecan and Goat Cheese Appetizers
21 Day Fix Roasted Shrimp co*cktail with Cranberry Horseradish Chutney
Photo Credit:confessionsofafitfoodie.com
21 Day Fix Caesar Deviled Eggs
Pumpkin Goat Cheese Spread
21 Day Fix Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Instant Pot Baked Brie (21 Day Fix Approved) - Confessions of a Fit Foodie
Photo Credit:confessionsofafitfoodie.com
21 Day Fix Ranch Dip
How to make your own microwave popcorn {5 ways}!
Black Bean Hummus Taco Dip with Pita Chips
Salads
Pear and Butternut Squash Salad with Maple-Balsamic Vinaigrette
Berry-Almond Salad with Strawberry-Goat Cheese Dressing and Basil
Best Ever Healthy Caesar Dressing + Caesar Salad Pita Pocket
Soups
21 Day Fix Coconut Curry Butternut Squash Soup {Instant Pot | Stove Top}
21 Day Fix Broccoli Cheese Soup {Instant Pot | Stove Top}
21 Day Fix French Onion Soup
Main Dish
21 Day Fix Slow-Cooker Turkey Breast with Two Sauces
Side Dishes
Low-Sugar Apple Cranberry Sauce
21 Day Fix Creamy Coleslaw
21 Day Fix Apple-Pecan Stuffing
Instant Pot Stuffing with Brown Rice and Sausage (21 Day Fix)
Photo Credit:confessionsofafitfoodie.com
Sausage, Fennel and Cranberry Stuffing
Butternut Squash Meringue Casserole {Instant Pot | Oven}
Instant Pot Green Beans and Artichokes
Instant Pot Broccoli Mac and Cheese {21 Day Fix | Weight Watchers}
21 Day Fix Apple Butternut Squash Casserole with Bacon & Pecan Topping
Photo Credit:www.carrieelle.com
Pecorino Mashed Cauliflower with Sherry-Rosemary Mushrooms
Individual Potato Gratins with Cauliflower Sauce
“Fixified” Broccoli Salad
Carrot-Apple Salad
Dessert!
Pumpkin Custard Tart With Bourbon-Nutmeg Coconut Whip {21 Day Fix}
{Flourless} Pumpkin Custard Bars
21 Day Fix Secret Ingredient Brownies {No Beans!}
21 Day Fix Pumpkin-Coconut Crème Brûlée
Apple-Blackberry Cheesecake Tart
21 Day Fix Brownie-Bottom Cheesecake with Raspberry Sauce
Bonus Recipes (Leftover Love)!
Fully Loaded Autumn Sandwich
24 Delicious Ways to use Prepped or Leftover Chicken for the 21 Day Fix
Use leftover turkey in any of these awesome recipes!
More Recipes
- Sheet Pan Teriyaki Salmon and Vegetables
- Easy Pineapple Sausage Curry
- How to Plan an Activity Advent Calendar | Advent Calendar Activity Ideas 2023
- Healthy Banana Cupcakes
Reader Interactions
Comments
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Pinned, btw!
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Stephanie says
<3 <3 <3
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Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I've probably never mentioned this, but I am THE pickiest, healthiest eater in my 'real' life. Sure, I cook a multitude of things for the blog, and I do nibble on them, or try them. But what I eat-eat is SUPER healthy. I am totally THAT family member who brings a healthy side (or 3) to holiday dinners because I want to have something I can eat (and feel good about eating). SO I am LOVING this round up!! Everything looks absolutely delicious, Stephanie! Too bad we aren't neighbors, because then I'd be able to invite myself over to your holiday dinners. hahahaha! 😉 Thanks for sharing this, chicka! Cheers! <3
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Stephanie says
No you haven't! That's interesting! This may go without saying, but I'm the same way. I find that as long as I don't tell people that they're eating something healthy, they generally don't notice. 🙂 Thanks, Chey! If we were neighbors you wouldn't have to invite yourself, it would obviously be a given 😉 Also, if you brought one of your amazing hummus recipes I wouldn't be mad at it. Just sayin'. Cheers back at ya, lady! XO
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Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
This is such a fantastic round-up!
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Stephanie says
Thanks, Nicole!!
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Caroline | carolinescooking says
A great list, thanks for including my cranberry sauce!
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Stephanie says
Thanks & you're welcome, Caroline! 🙂
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amanda says
Fantastic post darling! Such great work:) Pinned!! :D:D
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Stephanie says
Thanks, Amanda, you're the sweetest! It was such a labor of love, I had NO idea how long it would take but it was definitely worth it 😉 Thanks again for letting me include your amazing recipe!
Reply
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