Four Tips for a Low-Carb Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is coming up, and this year things may be different—coronavirus, anyone? Yet, even if you’re enjoying with a small group of friends or family, you’re going to want to create a delicious Thanksgiving spread that has all your favorite fall flavors and classic meals to celebrate and show gratitude.
And if you’re on a low-carb or keto diet, you’re bound to struggle even more, since lots of Thanksgiving dishes are high in carbs and sugar, which will kick you out of ketosis and set you back a couple hundred extra calories too.
Yet, you can enjoy Thanksgiving and indulge, just without the carbs. Here are a few tips to keep in mind for Thanksgiving when you’re on a low-carb diet.
Bring Snacks in Case You Can’t Find Enough to Eat
If you are going to a small gathering, bring snacks to make sure you can eat something if there aren’t many options. Some ideas are nuts, nut butter with low-carb crackers, protein bars that are low in carbs and sugar, or string cheese and Greek yogurt (plain and unsweetened). That way you can avoid temptations to eat foods that would wreck your progress on keto due to hunger. And you don’t have to feel like you’re counting down the time to leave in order to get something in your body on a day of feasting.
Bring a Keto Makeover of Dessert
If you have the time and you’re on keto, there are a ton of recipes out there to make your own keto version of a pumpkin or pecan pie or a pumpkin cheesecake. This way you can feel like you’re partaking in the Thanksgiving celebrations without being “that person” not eating dessert. Even better, a lot of these keto dessert recipes are rich in flavor so you may even be able to share your creations with your non-keto family members and make a few converts. But only if you remember to watch your manners, it is Thanksgiving after all.
Enjoy Turkey and Greens
Turkey by itself is low-carb, so you can eat a nice serving of it on the big day. Yet, don’t add the cranberry sauce or gravy—these are both not keto approved and are too high in carbs and sugar. And instead of the starchy sides like sweet potato or stuffing, you can go with greens, such as green beans, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, or a salad, without the dressing, unless it’s simply olive oil.
Focus on The Company
The most important thing to enjoy during the holiday, especially after this trying year, is to focus on the company. Not only for the benefit of enjoying our friends and family, but when we’re engaged in conversation, we often eat less. Take this holiday to think about what you’re thankful for. Take stock on all of your successes, celebrate the successes of others and bond over food. That’s the whole point of the holiday, even if you’re living a low-carb or keto lifestyle. Your eating habits may change over time, but family is forever.
