Tips to Eating Paleo on Thanksgiving

Last Updated on December 4, 2023 by Cathy

Thanksgiving is the day we stuff ourselves with foods that cause inflammation. For most people, this isn’t a problem but for those of us with an autoimmune disease, this is a big problem. But it’s possible to eat and enjoy a delicious Paleo Thanksgiving.

Typical Thanksgiving dinners include foods that cause inflammation like gluten and dairy. When I first changed my diet it was one week before Thanksgiving. The timing was bad but I was recovering from a horrible multiple sclerosis (MS) exacerbation from the month prior.

I was desperate to get better. But I was also depressed seeing everyone enjoying their full plates while I only had turkey and a salad. Oh, how I missed those mashed potatoes with gravy and stuffing. Watching everyone enjoying their pies and desserts after their huge meal was torture. I just wanted to cry.

If I was doing this to lose weight I would have quit my diet that same day. But I was still recovering from my flare, I had double vision and the left side of my face was numb and paralyzed. It was the fear of getting worse that kept me going.

That was in 2004, the next year I learned how to enjoy my Thanksgiving meal. And stick to my healthy diet without feeling depressed or left out. And you don’t have to feel deprived either. All it takes is a little planning and preparation.

Traveling

If you are going to someone else’s house, let the host know of your eating restrictions. They don’t have to learn how to cook a whole Paleo meal but it would be nice for them to know. Offer to bring one or two items then you can show off your delicious Paleo dishes.

Eat something light before you arrive at your Thanksgiving meal destination. If there are not a lot of options for you to eat, you won’t feel starved and left out. I also like to keep a baggie with raw nuts or a snack bar, like a Larabar, in my purse in case of an emergency.

Prepare Ahead

Whether you are planning a meal for your family or you have many people coming over. Planning ahead will help relieve stress. Start by finding recipes and making a grocery list. Stick to simple recipes with fewer ingredients so you are not standing for a long time. This will also help with the budget.

Organic pasture-raised turkeys are in demand so they go fast. Talk to your local farmer or your local health food store like Whole Foods to order ahead and reserve a turkey. Unfortunately, they are also very expensive so plan on spending quite a bit of money on one. We have a small Thanksgiving dinner so we roast a chicken in my Dutch oven instead. It is a perfect size, it costs a lot less, and it is delicious!

If you are planning on making desserts, or dinner rolls make these a day early. I like to use Otto’s Naturals Cassava Flour for my rolls because the texture is much better. Again if you are trying to save on money, Paleo flours are expensive. Instead of a flour dessert, I like to make baked apples the day before and then warm them up on Thanksgiving Day. Plus, apples are usually on sale this time of year so it saves you money.

Baked Apples Recipe:

• Preheat oven to 350°
• Core and slice 4 apples (I use Granny Smith apples)
• Drizzle melted coconut oil or ghee over the top
• Sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg on top with a small pinch of ginger
• Add walnuts (optional)
• Mix and bake until tender, approximately 20 minutes
  Serve hot

My family and I like to go huckleberry picking every summer and I always freeze some for later. I like to add about 1/4 cup of huckleberries to the recipe instead of walnuts. Oh my goodness, it is so delicious!

Beverages

And who wants to drink boring water on Thanksgiving Day? Luckily there are many options to choose from. One of my favorites is my Pumpkin Pie Smoothie, it tastes just like a pumpkin pie.

• Coconut water
• Flavored water (berries, cucumber, lemon, lime, mint, etc.)
• Herbal teas
• Kombucha
• La Croix
• Soda Stream to make bubbly water then add berries, pineapple, lemon, or lime

Vegetables

Thanksgiving side dishes are mostly vegetables which are great for Paleo. The best part is, it is very easy to tweak traditional vegetable recipes to meet your needs. Check out my many vegetable recipes on my blog. Such as Lemon Roasted Asparagus, Roasted Red Pepper Cauliflower, Lemon Garlic Roasted Broccoli, and Cinnamon Delicata Squash.

I like keeping things simple since there is so much to do like making mashed sweet potatoes. While the turkey (chicken in my case) is roasting I cook all my pre-cut vegetables in one pan on the stovetop.

Cooked Vegetables Recipe:

• In a large pan add approximately 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
• Add whatever vegetables you have on hand to the pan (cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini, red onions, red cabbage, radishes, etc.)
• Sprinkle with your favorite herbs, I like to use turmeric, fresh ground pepper, cinnamon, garlic powder, and sea salt
• Once the sweet potatoes start getting tender add a big handful of dark leafy greens and pour approximately 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the top

Continually stir the vegetables while cooking so they don’t burn and stick to the pan.

Staying On Track

Eating a Paleo Thanksgiving meal doesn’t have to be hard with a little planning. Remember, you are doing this for your health. If someone offers you something that’s processed and not natural just say “no thank you.”

 

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Tips to Eating Paleo on Thanksgiving