Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that is filled with loads of love and laughter, large family gatherings, drinks and cocktails for all, and spreads of the most decadent dishes lining dining room tables. It’s a time to enjoy, celebrate, and come together, but if you’re on your gut health journey, and experience regular bloating, constipation, stomach pains, and/or fatigue, this holiday can be extremely challenging. Being afraid every single bite of food is going to make you balloon up with bloat and discomfort, makes eating anything on the holiday table nowhere near enjoyable.
But, you don't want to miss the festivities or force yourself to limit all the yummy food on Thanksgiving, so why not mindfully plan your side dishes so that when you do eat that amazing big meal with your family, you can actually ENJOY the day and still feel your best?
To ease the worry of developing a post-meal bloat baby, here are four appetizer side dishes you can enjoy bloat-free and feel confident about reaching for on Thanksgiving day to still feel your best! Bringing healthy and gut-friendly options to your family gathering not only allows you to indulge strategically to minimize the dreaded post-meal slump and bloat, but also helps your body better digest the other less healthy dishes you are consuming. Let’s get into it!
Apricot Wraps
These little apricot wraps are the perfect appetizer for the holidays. Not only are they high in protein and will help keep you satiated, but they also naturally reduce bloating due to the high amount of fiber and potassium found in apricots. Plus they are super simple to make!
Ingredients:
- Dried apricots
- Basil leaves
- Prosciutto
- Toothpicks
How to Make:
Take a slice of prosciutto, fold it in half and roll up. Stick a toothpick through the wrap, add a dried apricot on top of the prosciutto, and top with a rolled up leaf of basil. Lay to the side, and repeat until the desired amount of bites are made. Plate and enjoy!
Apple Date Bites
The perfect healthy treat if you have a sweet tooth! They contain loads of fiber from the dates and apples inside them, making them a natural digestive tool. From working to reduce stomach pain, aid digestion, and prevent constipation, these bites are the ideal pre-Thanksgiving dinner bloat prevention.
Ingredients:
- Apples
- Medjool dates
- Peanut butter
How to Make:
Preheat the oven to 300 F degrees. Cut apples into thin 2 inch pieces and slice the dates open, taking the pits out of the center. Use a knife to spread a layer of peanut butter inside the date, then fill with a piece of apple. Repeat this process to all of the dates and then cut each date-apple combo in half, creating smaller bite size pieces. Place pieces on a lined baking sheet and bake for 10-12 min in the oven, checking for when the apples look slightly golden brown. Remove from the oven, and serve warm!
Maple Carrots
A nostalgic side dish that gives all the flavors of the holiday, with zero of the guilt or discomfort after! Carrots are a low-carb vegetable that helps naturally reduce gas and stomach pain, making this a perfect side dish to pair with your more indulgent Thanksgiving dishes.
Ingredients:
- Carrots
- Olive oil
- Maple syrup
- Cinnamon
How to Make:
Preheat the oven to 415 F degrees. Wash and cut carrots into thin slices. Throw carrot slices into a bowl and toss with olive oil, maple syrup, and cinnamon to taste. Spread evenly on a lined baking sheet and cook in the oven for 15-20 min, checking until carrots are soft and lightly crisp on the edges. Plate and top with an extra dash of cinnamon!
Squash Boats
These colorful lettuce boats are a quick, yet pretty side or appetizer dish that can be eaten like a little taco, or scooped out with a spoon. The perfect mix of prebiotics, antioxidants, and fiber from the pomegranates and butternut squash, this dish helps promote a healthy gut, regulate bowel movements, and reduce inflammation in the body. Plus, it’s super easy for your body to digest, giving your digestive system a mini break before it’s put to work before the rest of your meal.
Ingredients:
- Butternut squash
- Pomegranate seeds
- Radicchio lettuce
- Olive oil
- Maple syrup
- Salt and pepper
- Herbs to season
How to Make:
Preheat the oven to 425 F degrees. Wash, peel and cut squash into small cubes and place them on a lined baking sheet. Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any additional herbs of your choice and cook for 25-30 min until the squash is golden brown. While the squash is cooking, peel leaves off of the radicchio lettuce head to create your lettuce cups and set aside. Take squash out of the oven and place into a mixing bowl, adding pomegranate seeds and herbs on top. Mix thoroughly and use a spoon to scoop mixture into your radicchio lettuce cups. Arrange on a platter and serve!
With these four gut-friendly appetizer side dishes, there’s no worry about that dreaded post-meal bloat, and your pumpkin pie will digest much easier after starting your meal with bites rich in fiber, antioxidants, and fruits and veggies. Plus, each of these recipes requires very little prep time and is easy to make. It’s a win win, and everyone will be thanking you later!
Need an additional gut boost Thanksgiving day? Take our Gut Glo supplement before you indulge to increase digestion, reduce bloat, relieve stomach pain, and detox post-meal. To learn more, click here.
