Diet Foods for Thanksgiving

Turkey, Potatoes, and Cranberry Sauce 

Thanksgiving is amazingly famous for food, which can be a nightmare for someone who has gone through weight loss surgery. However, this doesn’t have to be the case.  Why?  Because healthy foods can easily be introduced into your Thanksgiving bounty. You may be surprised at how thankful you will be for this. 

Turkey is a staple on the Thankgiving table, and rightly so. It is so delicious that my mouth is watering just thinking about it. But when it comes time to eat, be sure to avoid dark meat and any skin that may be lingering about. These are the fatty parts of the turkey. White meat is okay, though. 

Potatoes are also a common item on the table, but here is where you really need to be careful. Avoid potato skins because they can be hard on your stomach. If there are sweet potatoes out, avoid them if they have been made with marshmallows and sugar. Mashed potatoes would be best, but be sure to limit your portion. If you are making them be sure to limit butter and cream for the lowest fat consumption. 

Cranberry sauce is tasty, but it is often loaded with sugar. If you love cranberry sauce, find a sugar free recipe and make your own. If you don’t have the time to make your own, ask someone else to make it without sugar. As you can see, several of the classics can be easily turned into bariatric foods. 

But What About Dessert on a Bariatric Diet? 

Dessert is where some people run into a lot of temptation. Most of them are so sugary and tasty that they seem almost impossible to resist. But be strong! If you are preparing food for everyone, go ahead and make the usual desserts but make a special dessert for yourself. 

If you are arriving at a friend’s house for Thanksgiving, then feel free to bring your own dessert. You may be surprised to find that you won’t be the only one watching your weight on Turkey Day. 

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for what we have, and you have a wonderful opportunity to be thankful for what you’ve lost (like weight!). Celebrate your Thanksgiving like you usually would, with family and friends. Just make sure you keep your bariatric foods handy and watch your portions.