Thanksgiving is full of food that can have our tummies in a frenzy. Loads of sugar, unhealthy fat, and nutritionally-defunct foods mark many of our Thanksgiving favorites. By swapping a few side dishes for more gut-friendly alternatives, you can still enjoy the savory fall flavors of Thanksgiving without the regret when it comes time to digest all of that delicious food. Not to mention, instead of buying processed or pre-made versions of your fall favorites, you can find all of the ingredients right here in the greater Boston area! Boston is full of fresh produce markets where you can get locally sourced, organic fruits and veggies. Not only will your digestive system thank you, but you and the friends and family around your Thanksgiving table will also be able to taste the difference because fresh is always better!
Here are 5 gut-friendly Thanksgiving dishes your guests will be sure to gobble up:
Instead of Mashed Potatoes
Try Mashed Cauliflower
Mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple and you’re probably skeptical about messing with your tried and true recipe. But hear us out…It’s not that potatoes are bad for your gut, it’s just that cauliflower is so much better. Cauliflower is incredibly beneficial for your overall health—it’s full of vitamin C, vitamin K, helps with collagen production, can help detox the liver, and even contains choline, a nutrient that promotes gastrointestinal health. With all the rosemary and garlic in this recipe, you’ll hardly notice it’s not made with real potatoes!
Buy Cauliflower at…
Haymarket
Friday from 03:00 am-close
Saturday from 04:00 am-close
Blackstone St. (between Hanover St. and North St.)
Boston, MA
Instead of Candied Yams
Try Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Honey and Cinnamon
Candied yams, sometimes called sweet potato casserole, are so sweet they should almost be a Thanksgiving dessert instead of a side dish. While that perfectly browned layer of marshmallows topping butter-soaked yams is certainly delicious, it’s almost purely sugar and can wreak havoc on your digestive system. But, sweet potatoes themselves are naturally high in fiber and are good for you and your digestive system. Try this roasted sweet potatoes with honey and cinnamon for a lighter, but still delicious, take on an old favorite.
Buy sweet potatoes at…
Johnny D’s Fruit & Produce
381 Washington St.
Brighton, MA
Instead of Canned Cranberry Sauce
Try Naturally Sweetened Cranberry Sauce
Don’t skip out on the cranberry sauce this year! Cranberries qualify as a superfood, they’re super-rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, fiber, and the metabolism-boosting mineral manganese. Even the canned version of this Thanksgiving can be good for you if you find one free from high fructose corn syrup. High fructose corn syrup has been linked to all kinds of health complications such as metabolic syndrome, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and more. Your safest bet for steering clear of this nasty additive is to simply make your own cranberry sauce. Most homemade recipes call for about a cup of white sugar, but your digestive system will thank you for this recipe that’s made with natural sweeteners such as organic maple syrup or raw local honey.
Buy cranberries at…
Boston’s Central Square Farmers’ Market
Mondays from 12-6 until 25 November
76 Bishop Allen Dr. Cambridge, MA
Instead of Pecan Pie
Try Pumpkin Pie Instead
Recipe via Kitchen Stewardship
Pecans are a great source of healthy fat, but their nutritional value is negated by the heaping portion of sugar used to make a pecan pie. A digestive-friendly alternative is a homemade pumpkin pie made with real, not canned, pumpkin. Pumpkin is a low-calorie superstar that’s full of beta-carotene and fiber which keeps you feeling full longer. It will slow down your urge to go back for seconds which means you can avoid that annual bout of post-turkey acid reflux.
Buy pumpkins at…
Freitas Farm stand at the South Boston Farmers’ Market
Mondays 12-6
446 W. Broadway Boston, MA
Instead of Alcohol and Soda
Try Fresh Apple Cider
Alcohol and soda always seem to be present at Thanksgiving gatherings but if you’re looking to go home with your digestive system intact, you better resist the urge to imbibe. Both will leave you dehydrated and with a belly full of empty calories. Water is best, but if you need something with a little fall flavor, pick up a glass of apple cider. Non-alcoholic fresh-pressed apple cider is jam-packed with vitamins and polyphenols which have been proven to increase good gut bacteria and decrease blood pressure and inflammation. However, don’t go overboard. While fresh apple cider has many health benefits, it is high in naturally occurring sugar.
Buy freshly pressed apple cider at…
Kimball’s Fruit Farm Stand
184 Hollis St.
Pepperell, Massachusetts