9 Keto Thanksgiving Recipes for a Low-Carb Meal Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Ketogenic Diet 9 Keto-Friendly Thanksgiving Recipes You don’t have to stress about staying on track with your keto diet this Thanksgiving, thanks to these low-carb recipe alternatives to traditional holiday foods. By Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDCESMedically Reviewed by Kelly Kennedy, RDNReviewed: November 20, 2018Medically Reviewed Good news for turkey lovers This holiday staple is naturally keto-friendly iStockFor most people, Thanksgiving is all about reflecting on what you’re grateful for while spending time with friends and family. But if you’re trying to stay on track with a ketogenic diet, this holiday can bring on an added layer of stress. “It's tough to head into social gatherings without knowing what will be served and whether you'll have enough options that fit into a keto diet,” explains Christy Brissette, RD, of 80 Twenty Nutrition in Chicago. But staying on track with your meal plan goals can be done, even during the holiday season. It just requires a little bit of planning. RELATED: What to Eat and Avoid on the Keto Diet First What Beginners Need to Know About Keto The ketogenic diet came about as a way to help control seizure disorders almost 100 years ago. Today, it has become a popular way to shed pounds and inches rapidly. “Research points to some potential benefits of the ketogenic diet, including a few studies which have shown it may promote weight loss, lower blood sugar, and increase insulin sensitivity in people with diabetes,” says Keri Glassman, RD, of Nutritious Life in New York City. But the keto diet is not without a few downsides. “As your body adjusts, you may experience symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and nausea for a few weeks,” Glassman says. That’s not all. “Side effects from this form of dieting may lead to constipation, electrolyte imbalances, headaches,” adds Brissette. Not to mention, dramatically reducing your carb intake for the long haul can be challenging, Brissette says. Also, the keto diet may pose health risks long term. RELATED: Why Keto Can Make You Constipated or Give You Diarrhea — and How to Deal Is the Ketogenic Diet Right for You or Could It Be Unsafe for Your Health No diet is one-size-fits-all — including keto. Long-term studies on the health effects of keto are limited, but early research presented in August 2018 at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2018 found that low-carb dieters may be at a higher risk of early death, possibly because low-carb diets, including keto, don’t mandate limiting intake of fats that are unhealthy in excess, such as that in red meat. Suffice it to say the keto diet may pose health dangers for some people. “The safety of the keto diet hasn't been studied in people with kidney or liver problems, pregnant women, or anyone with an eating disorder history or chronic constipation. If you have bone health concerns, you may also want to steer clear of the keto diet. It can be low in calcium and vitamin D,” adds Brissette. RELATED: 8 Steps Beginners Should Take Before Trying Keto Making the Keto Diet Work for You During the Holiday Season If you plan to follow the keto diet during the holidays, there are a few simple tricks that can help you to stay on track. First, make sure to plan ahead and have a light meal or snack before arriving to a celebration. This can go a long way in preventing excessive hunger that can have you reaching for the wrong foods. And don’t be shy about sharing your dietary needs with others. “Talk to your host and let him or her know you're on a keto diet and you'd like to bring a couple of dishes to share with everyone,” suggests Brissette. RELATED: 10 Instant-Pot Recipes to Enjoy on the Keto Diet Need ideas? Give some of these delicious, keto-friendly Thanksgiving recipes a try:135 Low-Carb Thanksgiving Appetizer Platter Step Away From the CarbsOne of the best ways to avoid going overboard at Thanksgiving is to eat a small snack ahead of time to help curb your appetite. Creating this adorable Thanksgiving platter as a crowd-pleasing appetizer is a great solution. The blend of cheeses and meats provides a rich source of protein and fat without the carbs, helping to fight against excess hunger before the meal is served. Get the recipe at Step Away From the Carbs.136 Low-Sugar Cranberry Sauce Wholesome YumWhat’s Thanksgiving without cranberry sauce? Traditional versions are often packed full of added sugar, but this sugar-free alternative contains only 4 grams (g) of net carbs (total carbs minus fiber). With just four ingredients, making cranberry sauce has never been easier — and with a few ingredient swaps, it can be healthier, too. Just be aware of the sugar alcohol erythritol, which may cause digestive issues, especially in kids, when eaten in excess. Get the recipe at Wholesome Yum. RELATED: 10 Quick and Easy Keto Snacks Already in Your Fridge or Pantry137 Baked Sausage and Pumpkin Bites Step Away From the CarbsWhether you’re looking for an appetizer or an extra side dish for your Thanksgiving meal, this bite-sized sausage and pumpkin finger food will be just what your guests are looking for. And with only 4 g of net carbs per serving, you don’t have to feel guilty about reaching for more than one. Be aware this recipe also contains erythritol, which, as mentioned above, may cause tummy trouble if you overdo it! Get the recipe at Step Away From the Carbs.138 Keto-Friendly Dijon Cauliflower Mash Wholesome YumMashed potatoes are a staple at the Thanksgiving table, but for those limiting their carbohydrate intake, adding these to your plate can eat up your whole day’s allotment. Instead, swap out the mashed potatoes, which traditionally contain 30 g of carbohydrate per cup, for this equally delicious mashed cauliflower recipe. By swapping out potatoes for cauliflower, you can enjoy a similar taste and texture, with fewer calories and only 7 g of net carbs per serving. Get the recipe at Wholesome Yum. RELATED: What Are the Best and Worst Fats to Eat on the Keto Diet?139 Roasted Bacon Green Beans Hungry HobbyVegetable sides are the perfect keto-friendly addition to your Thanksgiving spread. And when you add in bacon, who can resist? The blend of green beans, almonds, and bacon makes this dish so indulgent you’ll never miss the carbs. Get the recipe at Hungry Hobby.140 Roasted Brussels Sprouts 80 Twenty NutritionOne of the best ways to make sure you can stick to your keto plan on Thanksgiving is to offer a variety of nonstarchy vegetable-based dishes. When you can fill your plate with multiple servings of vegetables, passing on the high-carbohydrate options gets a lot easier. This roasted Brussels sprouts recipe couldn’t be simpler to make and will be a hit with all of your guests. Get the recipe at 80 Twenty Nutrition.141 Roasted Turkey Breast iStockThanksgiving dinner revolves around the turkey, and lucky for you, this meat is naturally keto-friendly. Whether roasted or fried, with less than 2 g of net carbs per 3-ounce serving, turkey breast makes the perfect complement to your Thanksgiving plate. Pair it with a side of roasted vegetables, cauliflower mash, and sugar-free cranberry sauce, and you’re set for a traditional yet low-carb Thanksgiving meal. Get the recipe at Nutritious Life.142 Pumpkin Cheesecake Wholesome YumNo Thanksgiving dinner is complete without dessert, and with this delicious Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe, you can enjoy cake even while following a keto diet. By making just a few simple ingredient swaps from the standard cheesecake recipe, you can enjoy all of the same great taste with only 5 g of net carbs per slice. Get the recipe at Wholesome Yum.143 Chocolate Mint Avocado Pudding 80 Twenty NutritionYou can’t have dessert without chocolate, right? And now you don’t have to, thanks to this easy Chocolate Mint Avocado Pudding recipe. The texture and neutral flavor of the avocado pair perfectly with the cocoa powder, for a rich, indulgent dessert with only 2 g of net carbs per serving. Get the recipe at 80 Twenty Nutrition. Most Recent in Ketogenic Diet Later Meals Increase Hunger Decrease Calories Burned 6 Bugs You Can Eat and Their Health Benefits 5 Cheap and Healthy Recipes to Make With Oats What Happens to Your Cholesterol When You Go on a Keto Diet NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Diet and Nutrition Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. 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