As Thanksgiving approaches, the planning of meals begins in full force. For those of us on a low carb diet, however, this day can be something we come to dread every year. The temptation of stuffing, potatoes, and many other types of traditional foods can be hard to resist, even for the strongest-willed low carb dieter. Read on to learn a few tips for enjoying Thanksgiving dinner and still sticking to your low carb lifestyle.
Low carb variations are possible – There are many websites and books devoted to holiday dinners with a healthier makeover, and many of these focus on low sugar and low carb Thanksgiving meals. By finding a source with recipes for your favorite Thanksgiving dishes in low carb form, you can celebrate the holiday without ruining your diet.
Host Dinner – If your family gathering involves many family members all coming together in one place, offering to host the dinner can be a great way to gain control of more of the foods. In many situations, offering to host will be a welcome gesture to family members who would prefer to not prepare their home for the big event. By having the dinner at your location, it often means you get to take control of the food list and make as many types of foods as you want. Then, you can make whatever dishes you opt to provide using one of the low carb recipes available online or in recipe books.
Offer to make your favorites – Most people have at least a few Thanksgiving foods that they absolutely love and simply cannot resist. When you show up to a dinner and someone else has made this food, you will have no idea of the carb count, but you still may not be able to resist eating it. By offering to make the foods you know you will be tempted to eat, you can make a lower carb version that you can indulge in without feeling guilty.
Take your own version – If you offer to bring one of your favorite dishes to dinner, but someone else has already staked claim to making it, there is nothing wrong with bringing your own low carb version of turkey dressing or a low carb pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving dinner is a gathering focused on food, and the more the merrier in most cases. Plus, you may pleasantly surprise others that are having a hard time sticking to their low carb diet on Thanksgiving by providing the dish.