Thanksgiving Foods That Won't Bust Your Buttons

Thanksgiving Foods That Won't Bust Your Buttons

Turkey VS. Ham

Most families cook a turkey during Thanksgiving dinner. Some protein are healthier than others, for example, turkey is a healthier choice than ham. When comparing protein by weight among various types of meat, turkey has fewer calories and provides more healthier nutrients per serving. Studies have show a focus on the impact of arginine which is an amino acid that is found in skinless, white meat turkey. Researchers believe that the body uses arginine to make more protein and promote the relaxing and opening of arteries.

The skin and dark meat of any type of meat contains the most fat. So, eliminating the skin and dark meat can help keep calories and saturated fat to a low.

Green Beans Casserole VS. Corn Casserole

Green Bean Casserole is better than Corn Casserole. Though green bean casserole is full with other ingredients, it is healthier than corn casserole. Fruits and vegetables with every meal can help decrease the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Green Beans are a great side dish for your Thanksgiving meal because they provide Vitamins A, C, and K as well as fiber.

Studies have shown that green beans are rich in protein, vitamins, fiber, folate, and many minerals. Green Beans also include chlorophyll content and provides a host of phytonutrients. Overall green beans have a wide variety of health benefits.

Sweet Potatoes VS. White Potatoes

Eating sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes are also a great switch because sweet potatoes are generally healthier mostly because of the high Vitamin A content. Sweet Potatoes are also lower on the glycemic index which means they are less likely to make your blood sugar spike.

Studies have shown that sweet potatoes provide you with a variety of health benefits, some including antioxidant capacity, helps decrease blood sugar and lower insulin resistance, and prebiotic and bowel regulation. All in all, sweet potatoes are a healthier option than white potatoes because of all the health benefit options sweet potatoes provides.

Fresh Cranberries VS. Cranberry Sauce

Fresh Cranberries are healthier than cranberry sauce, and I don't know about you, but I love combining cranberries and turkey at Thanksgiving. Cranberries are considered a superfood; cranberries provide you with a healthy dose of Vitamin C polyphenols work to block damage caused by free radicals, plus it will help your body fight infections.

Cranberries have been shown to provide many health benefits like lower oxidative stress and can help with inflammation. When you swap cranberry sauce with fresh cranberries, it can provide you with multiple health benefits and won't bust your buttons at Thanksgiving.

Pumpkin Pie VS. Pecan Pie

Even though pumpkin pie contains added sugar and fat, pumpkin is a great source of fiber that will help support digestion and promote a sense of satiety. Pumpkin Pie is a healthier option than Pecan Pie; one of the reasons is because pumpkin is a higher fiber content than pecans. Plus pecan pie is more calories than pumpkin pie.

Pumpkin is also rich in Vitamin A which acts as an antioxidant and provides vision health, supports immunity, and the maintenance of healthy skin, teeth, and bones.

Studies have shown that pumpkin can help scavenge activities against many chronic diseases; plus pumpkin is liver friendly and provides anti-inflammatory support. In one specific study, it was found that the skin of a pumpkin contains alcohol insoluble polysaccharides which supports the growth of gut microbiota.

Wheat Rolls VS. White Rolls

Wheat Rolls are a healthier option than White Rolls. Whole wheat is much higher in fiber, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E, Magnesium, Zinc, Folic Acid, and Chromium. White bread is made from refined flour and only retains the endosperm.

Whole Wheat is typically a healthier option because it contains more fiber, has a higher nutritional value, and may have fewer calories.

Conclusion

Overall, switching over these foods to a different version can help prevent you busting your buttons this holiday season. You can still eat the foods you love, just switch them out with a healthier option. There are so many benefits when you do a substituted food during this Thanksgiving holiday.

If you are not a fan of switching out your foods for a healthier option, try proportioning your foods that way you don't eat as much and bust your buttons. You can also try changing the recipe and tweaking it to make it a healthier recipe. If you don't want to do either of those, try Metabolic Nutrition Glycoload. Glycoload specifically targets glycogen production in your body which allows you to "carb-load" your muscle in the most beneficial way. Check out Metabolic Nutrition Glycoload below:

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Citations

Lupoli, Roberta et al. “White Meat Consumption, All-Cause Mortality, and Cardiovascular Events: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies.” Nutrients vol. 13,2 676. 20 Feb. 2021, doi:10.3390/nu13020676

Chaurasia, Savita. (2020). Green Beans. 10.1016/B978-0-12-812780-3.00017-9.

Batool, Maria et al. “Nutritional Value, Phytochemical Potential, and Therapeutic Benefits of Pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.).” Plants (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 11,11 1394. 24 May. 2022, doi:10.3390/plants11111394

Amagloh, Flora C et al. “The Potential of Sweetpotato as a Functional Food in Sub-Saharan Africa and Its Implications for Health: A Review.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 26,10 2971. 17 May. 2021, doi:10.3390/molecules26102971


Blumberg, Jeffrey B et al. “Cranberries and their bioactive constituents in human health.” Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) vol. 4,6 618-32. 6 Nov. 2013, doi:10.3945/an.113.004473

Jun 12th 2023 Madison Tong
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Madison Tong
Madison has been in the fitness and supplement industry now for almost five years. She prides herself with helping speak about the newest supplements and fitness trends to hit the industry. She loves the outdoors, endurance training and helping other meet their fitness goals.
Madison Tong

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