Thanksgiving is one of the most glutinous holidays in existence. With each passing year, all of the comforting, fattening dishes remain the same, but your lifestyle, health or health goals may change. Some of you may have transitioned to vegetarian, vegan, or raw vegan diets and this may be your first time encountering the upcoming holiday weekend with new dietary restrictions. How do you resist all the temptation that you’ll see at the Thanksgiving table?
One of the most important things that people can be thankful for is a healthy body. How many people in the United States can honestly say that all of their bodily systems and organs are functioning optimally? We estimate that a limited number of people can say this, due to increasing percentages of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. In light of the growing rates of these illnesses, which primarily stem from poor diet, doesn’t it make sense to change things up this Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving Facts
- The average person consumes about 2,500-3,000 calories during the Thanksgiving meal. This excludes all the other foods people eat during the day.
- Roughly 46 million turkeys are sold around Thanksgiving each year.
- Despite all of the food that gets consumed at the Thanksgiving meal, studies show that people gain one pound over Thanksgiving weekend.
- You would need to walk about 5.5 miles to burn off the calories from one slice of pecan pie with whipped cream.
Our intention is not to put fear in your soul; rather, it is to open your eyes to the fact that many people are eating their way into an unhealthy state. While you may not gain 10 pounds over Thanksgiving weekend, the eating habits can carry through the rest of the year, gobbling up sweets and carb-heavy entrees as you please. Most people gain the majority of their weight between Thanksgiving and the New Year, but you have the opportunity to break this statistic by eating some lighter, healthier options this year. Whether you are raw vegan or not, there are light and healthy alternatives to Thanksgiving classics that are relatively easy to make. See the following recipes for inspiration.
Raw Vegan Stuffing
Yes, we did make raw stuffing. Yes, it is delicious. Yes, it will be one of the featured sides that makes your holiday meal that much healthier. Watch the video above to learn how to make the recipe.
A Raw Take On Mashed Potatoes And Gravy
One aspect of eating raw is figuring out healthy, creative ways to make recipes you know and love. Make this classic combo if you are trying to enjoy a raw vegan Thanksgiving. Watch the video above to learn how to make the recipe.
Raw Sweet Potato Pie
Sweet and spicy like the Thanksgiving classic, but so much lighter and healthier. Try this healthy, raw rendition and see how you like it. Watch the video above to learn how to make the recipe.
We hope your plate looks as delicious as this one!Â
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
