Thanksgiving makeover: 3 healthy dishes

For many people, holidays are about traditions. From activities to décor to food, family traditions bring the nostalgia and warm fuzzies that make holidays more enjoyable.

When it comes to the holiday meal, it’s easy to stick to the tried-and-true recipes that have always graced the table. It may even be a family tradition to make certain dishes for holiday meals.

But lightening up the Thanksgiving meal doesn’t have to take a lot of effort. In fact, you could start a new tradition with a healthy side or dessert!

Endeavor Health dietitians have delicious holiday-worthy recipes you could add to your plan this year.

Apple Pecan Salad
Servings: 8
Ingredients

• 1 lb mixed greens (leaves of baby romaine and oak leaf lettuces, Swiss chard, mizuna, arugula, frisee and radicchio)
• 1 cup pomegranate arils
• ¾ cup pecans, chopped
• 3 apples, cubed (recommend sweet apples like Honeycrisp)
• 4 oz crumbled goat cheese
• 1 cup light raspberry vinaigrette

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl toss together the first 4 ingredients. 
2. Divide salad mixture onto 8 plates.
3. Sprinkle on goat cheese.
4. Drizzle vinaigrette over each salad.

Nutrition facts: 250 calories, 14g carbohydrate, 19g fat, 5g protein, 205mg sodium and 12g sugar

Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash
Servings: 6
Ingredients:

• 1 medium-large butternut squash, peeled/seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp packed brown sugar
• 1.5 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425F with rack on upper middle position. Line baking sheet with heavy duty foil.
2. In a large bowl, toss the squash and remaining ingredients until thoroughly coated. Transfer to foil-lined baking sheet, in a single layer, without overcrowding the pieces.
3. Roast for about 40 minutes, rotating pan midway during baking. When edges are browned and cubes are fork-tender, remove from oven immediately. Check at around 35 minutes to make sure it doesn’t overcook.

Nutrition facts: Calories: 100, Carb: 23g, Protein: 1.5g, Fat: 2g

Baked Apple Crisp
Servings: 6
Ingredients:

• 6 medium apples
• ¼ cup rolled oats
• ¼ cup pecan pieces (or other chopped nuts of your choice)
• 3 tbsp currants or chopped raisins
• 2 tbsp flaxseeds
• 2 tbsp maple syrup or sweetener of choice
• 2 tsp butter (or coconut oil for a vegan version), melted
• 1 ½ tsp apple pie spice
• 1 tsp turmeric
• ½ tsp maple flavoring (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375F.
2. Core the apples but leave the bottoms of the apples intact in order to hold the filling.
3. In a medium bowl, add the maple syrup and maple flavoring to the melted butter and stir.
4. Stir in all remaining ingredients.
5. Stuff the apples with the mixture.
6. Arrange the apples in an oven-safe baking dish and pour enough to just cover the bottom of the dish with water, approximately ¾ cup.
7. Bake the apples for 40-50 minutes, or until the apples are soft and the filling lightly browns.
8. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.

Nutrition Facts: Calories: 186, Fat: 6g, Carbs: 35g, Fiber: 7g, Protein: 2g