Biggest Loser 2011 Thanksgiving Dinner

Tuesday night’s Biggest Loser featured a Thanksgiving meal for the participants. It looked really yummy! For these recipes go to The Biggest Loser page on NBC.com:

• Turkey Roulade (turkey breast rolled with a healthful Cornbread and Dried Fruit Stuffing) – 140 calories per serving (extra stuffing is 100 calories per 1/2 cup serving)
• Porcini Mushroom Gravy – 50 calories per 1/4 cup serving – OR – Roasted Pear Gravy – 30 calories per 1/4 cup serving
• Warm Apple and Cranberry Sauce – 40 calories per 1/3 cup serving
• Holiday Rapini Sauté (broccolini, red pepper and almonds) – 95 calories per 1 cup serving

Other Recipes on NBC.com not shown on last night’s episode:

• Herb-Orange Rubbed Turkey Breast – 200 calories per 4 ounce serving (uses garlic, pears, onions and, of course, oranges)
• Whole Grain Stuffing with Apples and Toasted Walnuts – 120 calories per serving without the Roasted Acorn Squash (optional meatless main option included in this recipe – no calorie info available)
• Spinach Salad with Pears and Pomegranate (including homemade honey mustard vinaigrette dressing) – 50 calories per serving
• Mashed White Bean and Cauliflower with Leeks – 100 calories per 1/3 cup serving
• Roasted “Candied” Sweet Potato Casserole – 140 calories per serving
• Roasted Carrot or Parsnip Chips – 40 calories per serving (about 10 chips per serving)
• Roasted Beet Chips – 30 calories per serving (about 14 chips per serving)
• Crispy Onion Green Bean Mushroom Casserole – 120 calories and 3.5 grams of fat per serving!! (uses fresh green beans with fresh mushrooms and Greek yogurt instead of canned condensed cream of mushroom or heavy whipping cream)
• Orange-Cranberry Relish – 80 calories per 2 Tbsp. (1/8 cup)
• Sweet Potato and Toasted Sage Dip – 70 calories per 1/4 cup serving (serve with crisp vegetables or crackers – not included in calorie count)
• Pumpkin Flans (175 calories each)

Thanksgiving Tips:

Remember, just because it’s Thanksgiving doesn’t mean you need to make TONS of food! Just make a delicious, healthful spread and focus on the meaning behind the holiday: Giving Thanks!

I would recommend eating a healthful breakfast – something like steel cut oats with chopped apples and walnuts and a glass of milk. This will get your metabolism going for the day.

If your celebration dinner is at lunch time, try to limit your calories to 650-800 calories. If possible, space it out into two 300-400 calorie mini-meals. If you’re not in charge of the menu, offer to bring a couple of side dishes that will help you avoid the fat-laden foods. Don’t feel like you have to taste everything on the buffet! Eat a balanced, nutritious meal and really enjoy it!

If you’re waiting till late afternoon or evening to eat your main meal for the day, enjoy a light snack (like the Spinach Salad with Pears and Pomegranate with the Roasted Carrots and Parsnips or Beet Chips listed above), then keep your main meal restricted to 650-700 calories.

Also, you will boost your metabolism significantly if you go for a 20-40 minute brisk walk after dinner. So, grab the family and walk around the neighborhood or go outside and start a game of tag football or soccer. Nothing like family competition to keep the energy up!

Don’t forget to watch The Biggest Loser’s Thanksgiving Special Episode on Wednesday night at 9PM EST (8PM CST) on NBC.

For the 2010 menu, check out last year’s blog post.