We all know what a traditional Thanksgiving dinner looks like, turkey or ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, cornbread, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin and pecan pie. But what if, for whatever reason, this type of menu does not fit into your diet. It is still possible to have a delicious thanksgiving meal while paying attention to fat and sodium content, and or abstaining from eating meat.

Many people struggle with their weight, especially during the holiday season, when the average amount of calories consumed by the average person on Thanksgiving is a whopping 4,500. There are many ways to reduce this number, however. You can remove the skin from the turkey before eating, make gravy from defatted drippings, replace the butter and heavy cream in mashed potatoes with fat free broth, fat free half and half, low fat milk or low fat butter milk, and you can also make your pies using a low fat phyllo dough as the base. These are just some of the many ways to reduce your calorie and fat content, and the Internet is full of low fat and non fat holiday recipes as well.

For those on low sodium diets, prepackaged menu items can pose a challenge. Conventional turkeys usually contain an added salt solution, so be sure to check the package before purchasing. Making your own mashed potatoes will also allow you to control sodium content, since you can either add a small amount, or simply leave it out all together and place a salt shaker on the table for your guests to use. You can also use sodium free or low sodium chicken broth in place of the heavy cream in your potatoes, which will make them lower in fat as well.

Vegetarians now have many options that were not available a few years ago. Some companies sell pre packaged tofu turkey meals that come with the tofu turkey, gravy, and even a meatless wishbone. Alternatively, you can always use vegetarian hamburger substitute to make mock meatloaf, and at the same time, shift the focus of the meal from the main dishes to the side dishes, and include an assortment of healthy and flavorful vegetable casseroles, salads, and even pastas.

Your Thanksgiving meal does not have to be traditional at all. Many families believe that the best part of the holiday is the creation of their own traditions, which is why some opt to skip the kitchen altogether and dine out. If you are set on preparing your meal, though, the good news is that with a little creativity, you can craft one that is delicious and unique, regardless of your dietary restrictions or preferences.

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