Published November 1, 2022

The holidays are a time when we gather with friends and family to celebrate—usually around the dinner table. Thanksgiving prep can be stressful, especially when catering to guests with certain dietary restrictions. How do you modify your menu without sacrificing taste and flavor? Our dietitians are here to help you host Thanksgiving and make meals to please everyone, no matter their eating styles.

Keto-friendly cooking tips.

Thanksgiving is traditionally a smorgasbord of carbohydrate-loaded sides and desserts. This can be challenging for those who follow a keto diet and want to keep their carbs low. Try some of these options to create a keto Thanksgiving menu and keep carbs in check.

• A charcuterie board of meats and cheeses will please your keto-loving guests and those who don’t necessarily follow a keto diet. Deviled eggs are another keto-friendly option everyone will enjoy. Make it easy and order ahead with in-store pickup.
• Instead of potatoes, try mashed or roasted cauliflower.
• Look for non-starchy vegetables with fewer carbs per serving such as broccoli, green beans, zucchini, and asparagus. Serve them roasted with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Try our Publix Aprons^® Zucchini Florentine Lasagna. It’s perfect as a side or even as an entrée.
• Desserts can be challenging, but you can find keto-friendly products to help create a sweet ending to your holiday meal.

Plant-inspired holiday dinner ideas.

Serve some plant-based Thanksgiving recipes guaranteed to make everyone around the table thankful.

• Charcuterie boards aren’t just for meat and cheese. You can easily substitute dairy-free, plant-based cheeses and dips along with veggies including baby carrots, sliced bell peppers, celery sticks, and grape tomatoes. Our Publix Aprons Eggplant Roulades make for a tasty appetizer before the big meal. Try it with a dairy-free cream cheese instead of yogurt dip if you want to make it without animal-based ingredients.
• No turkey? No worries. Your guests with plant-based diets will appreciate an entrée that includes our Publix Aprons Creamy Butternut Squash with Mushroom-Kale Ragu. Butternut squash spirals, mushrooms, and kale are covered in a creamy sauce made from dairy-free cream cheese. Add soy or tofu crumbles for added protein.
• If you have guests that have plant-based or vegetarian diets, offer entrées and plenty of sides centered around vegetables and grains, like a delicious stuffing made with plant-based sausage.
• Our Publix Aprons Sweet Potato Caramelized Banana Mash is a quick and easy side.
• If you have guests that avoid all animal products, make mashed potatoes with a reduced-sodium vegetable broth or stock for flavor instead of butter and cream.

See more about plant-based eating.

Set a gluten-free Thanksgiving table.

• Check your turkey: Some turkey brines or marinades can contain gluten. Choose a plain turkey and make your own marinade with gluten-free spices and seasonings.
• When making gravy, use a gluten-free flour or cornstarch to help it thicken.
• You can easily make gluten-free sides with a few tweaks. You can use gluten-free bread from the frozen section in any standard stuffing recipe. Also, be sure any broth used to make the stuffing is gluten free. Our gluten free icon makes it easy to find gluten-free products.
• Casseroles can be topped with crushed gluten-free crackers, chips, or gluten-free bread crumbs.
• Vegetables roasted with olive oil, salt, and pepper are easy sides that are naturally gluten free.
• For dessert, don’t skip the pie! Use a combination of ground nuts or gluten-free cookies to make a delicious crust.

Get more tips about eating gluten free.

Less saturated fat, sodium, and sugar.

For guests who are looking for healthier Thanksgiving options, either due to health issues or personal preference, we have tips for great recipes.

• Turkey: To cook a juicy bird, keep the skin on when cooking. However, most of the saturated fat is found in the skin, so remove it before eating. Roast the turkey on a rack so the fat drips away from the bird.
• White meat vs. dark meat: Both have a similar number of calories as long as they're eaten without the skin. But if you want to reduce the saturated fat, light meat is your best bet. One 3-ounce serving of cooked white meat* has 125 calories and 0.5 grams of saturated fat. Dark meat* on the other hand, has 147 calories and 1.5 grams of saturated fat.
• Mashed potatoes: There are several ways to lower the saturated fat content and still keep the flavor. Try using less butter or a light margarine. Instead of cream, you can use low-fat milk, low-fat sour cream, or low-fat plain Greek yogurt. Low-sodium broth also adds flavor without added fat and keeps the sodium in check.
• Sweet potato casserole: For a tasty version with less added sugar, try these tips. Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet, so cut back on the sugar and skip the marshmallows. Add extra spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg to boost the flavor.
• Green bean casserole: Make a few adjustments for green bean casserole with less saturated fat and added sodium. Start with fresh green beans or canned, no-salt-added green beans. Add a can of cream of mushroom soup with less saturated fat and sodium. Instead of french-fried onions, sauté an onion to cut the saturated fat and sodium.

Thanksgiving isn’t the same without pumpkin pie for dessert. Try these simple modifications to this holiday favorite.

• Lower the saturated fat: Instead of cream, use canned evaporated nonfat milk. For the crust, use crushed gingersnaps, or consider a pie without the crust.
• Use less sugar: Start with canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie mix with added sugar. Use half the amount of sugar in the recipe and add spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla to enhance sweetness and flavor.

*By clicking these links, you will leave publix.com and enter the USDA's website that they operate and control.

For the love of you.

Choosing how you eat is uniquely personal. It’s about your needs, your preferences, and your goals. As your wellness ally, we’re in your corner with fresh ideas, recipes, and wellness icons that make it easier to shift toward wiser food choices. It’s all about you, at your very best.