DAVID KIRSCH IN A NEW YORK MINUTE

While I spend most of my days teaching people to watch what they eat, there are a few occasions where my “rules” get tossed out the window. Ironically, Thanksgiving isn’t one of them.

At its essence, the quintessential Thanksgiving meal is comprised of fresh and natural ingredients. Think of the classic roasted turkey, the fresh salads and the bounty of seasonal ingredients at our fingertips. Where we tend to go astray is in the unnecessary addition of fats, sugars and butter. Cheeses, creamy potatoes, buttery breads, marshmallows, and more. I urge you to refrain!

My philosophy is: With all the effort you’re going to put into making this feast of celebration, why not take a few steps to make it a healthier Thanksgiving meal? Your heart, waist, and arteries will be eternally grateful.



Kirsching the Classics
The following are my fat-saving tips for Thanksgiving Day feast that will be good for the body and soul.

APPETIZERS
Best solution: Low-fat hummus with vegetable wedges or shrimp with cocktail sauce.

TURKEY
Best solution: Instead of bathing your turkey in butter, boost its moisture quotient with stock injection. Use olive oil to baste and leverage fresh natural herbs to bring out its flavor. Check out my favorite Thanksgiving recipe for a butter-free Turkey.

CRANBERRY
Best solution: Follow a recipe using fresh or frozen cranberries and not canned. My favorite cranberry relish uses red wine and anise to balance out the intensity of fresh cranberries.

STUFFING
Best solution: Use my rice-based stuffing instead of high carb breads. With olive oil, herbs, nuts and a little egg to help bind, this recipe will appease the stuffing addicts in your family.

SIDES
Best solutions: Roasted Brussels sprouts, green beans with lemon zest and almonds, and mashed sweet potatoes with cinnamon and balsamic vinegar or oven-roasted sweet potato chips. Avoid adding any sugary components (e.g. marshmallows) or buttery additives.

DESSERT
Best solution: Dark chocolate and berries. I confess: I love pecan pie a la mode but chocolate lovers will be happy to know that dark chocolate and berries is the healthier option!

Click here to download all of David’s Thanksgiving Recipes



Avoid overstuffing your body. Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be a carb-ridden binge-fest. Think about how much better you will feel from slowing down and savoring every bite and every moment of togetherness. Take your time. Enjoy it. If you feel you need help curbing your cravings, do what I do: Drink a protein shake an hour or two before the big meal. Non-bloating, whey protein, vitamin, organic flaxseed, high fiber formulas like my Protein Plus will provide relief from food cravings, helping you to avoid the urge to overstuff!