Have a Low Calorie Thanksgiving!

This is the time of year when Thanksgiving is a day of reckoning instead of a day of thanks. Instead of being grateful , we're wary and upset because of all the calories put before us. Thanksgiving doesn't have to be that way. You can still have a lush meal but with fewer calories. There are ways to prepare a tasty but low to zero fat feast .

1. Healthy appetizers. Instead of rich and creamy deviled eggs and cream cheese stuffed celery, try fennel salad made with simple olive oil and red wine vinegar. The fennel is flavorful and is almost pickled in this dressing. Another good one is artichoke vinaigrette. Boil artichokes and serve with a vinaigrette . At the very most this is 70 calories. It's also a good snack later on that evening.
2. Think sleek and chic with a consommé. Instead of a rich , first course , start off with a clear broth consommé. You can easily make vegetable , chicken or beef and top with a few roasted scallion pieces for more flavor. At the most it's only 29 calories a bowl. Even if you splurge on two or three bowls, it's still not a guilt trip.
3. The myth of low cal stuffing. Yes this really does exist. Instead of making it with leftover white and challah bread, try whole wheat bread and pretzels. Whole wheat is only 70 calories a slice to white bread's 120. Pretzels are about 100 calories with only 7 to 10 grams of fat (depending on the pretzel). You can make a savory German style stuffing by adding sautéd sliced celery and sage.
4. But wait - there's the gravy too! All right you do need gravy to pour over your big wedge of stuffing. That's a Thanksgiving given and a must. However, don't make a rich dressing. Instead create a simple au jus that will moisten your turkey meat as well as sides. (just remember that this type will still have fat from the drippings) .Combine the drippings with chicken broth and cook for twenty minutes. Strain through a cheese cloth and serve hot.
5. Rolling along. Everyone knows that rolls are a must have at every holiday dinner and Thanksgiving is no exception. Most rolls are around 78 calories so having one or two won't be too high in calories. Use a low calorie spread as opposed to real butter or have them with the turkey au jus.
6. Side splitting sides. Yes you can have yams and potatoes too. Just make sure they're baked so you don't have to deal with a ton of calories. Mashed potatoes are fine too as long as you make them with low fat milk and margarine. (you can make them richer with whole milk , cream and butter, just limit the serving portions to a small dollop). Serve steamed veggies such as carrots, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and string beans. Flavor them up with ginger or garlic if you find them too bland tasting. As for cranberry sauce it's calories with 418 of them . If you do want cranberries, then think about adding them to a salad instead. A lush but healthy side is a cranberry apple salad. Add two cups of cranberries , walnuts, and apple slices to a mixed greens salad. Mix apple cider vinegar and oil to create a fruity but low cal vinaigrette salad. You can also cook cranberries and make your own low cal sauce.

7)There's always room for dessert. However be judicious with what you eat. Pecan pie is the richest with 117 calories a serving. Go with pumpkin or apple which each has 58 calories a serving. A better idea is nix the crust and opt for a pumpkin mousse or baked apple. These are perfect for weight watchers be cause it's just the fruit with very few additions. If you want indulgence add a dollop of almost zero calorie Cool Whip to these. Finish off with a black coffee or tea and you have the perfect low cal ending to a weight watcher's dream meal.

This Thanksgiving, give thanks for a low calorie feast. It's easy to prepare and even easier to eat. Don't sacrifice taste for bland low cal foods or your waistline for rich holiday fare. Find the perfect balance in these waist trimming suggestions.