Make Ahead Thanksgiving! Keto, Low Carb, & THM Recipes (2024)
Published: by Taryn
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Enjoy your holiday by prepping ahead! Try these make-ahead keto sides and enjoy your friends and family this Thanksgiving.
I think one of the hardest things about hosting a major holiday is timing. Having everything ready and hot to eat at the same time can be overwhelming. For me, it's hard enough to just keep the house clean with 4 kids underfoot let alone cook at the same time. I try to make as many things ahead of time as possible so that I only have to reheat sides and tend the meat.
I decided to put together a list of recipes you can make AT LEAST 24 hours ahead.These either reheat well or are eaten cold (pumpkin cheesecake, I'm looking at you).
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APPETIZERS:
French Onion Tartlets - Low Carb, Grain Free, THM S
Sausage Pizza Dip
Bacon Cheddar Mini Cheese Balls
SIDES:
Best Ever Dairy Free Mashed Cauliflower
Cream Cheese Cauliflower Mashers with Asiago
Four Ingredient Cranberry Sauce - Sugar Free, THM FP
Wow, Taryn, i thought i should finally make the effort to tell you how much i appreciate your sending me your Keto creations to my email. Don't know how I was so lucky, but I forward them on to our 6 married children (trying to convert them!) Finally there are normal recipes with normal ingredients that are easy to make!! It really shouldn't be that hard! Thanks for proving that. As a former home ec teacher, I have managed to stay normal weight, but with a great deal of effort playing weight management teeter totter. I've been searching for the "holy grail of health" my whole life. Luckily it exists & its here! (was also in the olden days before processed food) KetoII And your recipes have made it SO Easy! Muchisimas Gracias! Your creations are benefitting mucho gente!
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Ynessays
This recipe looks delicious. However, I need a substitution for mushrooms. I'm allergic and every recipe I've found has mushrooms. Just wondering. Thanks!
Reply
Tarynsays
For the green bean casserole? You can omit the mushrooms.
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Carol Eckler-Ungarsays
Can't wait to try green bean casserole and some of your Thanksgiving suggestions!
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Alisha Rosssays
I am always looking for new recipes to try. I will have to get the ingredients I need to make some this week. I am sure it will be a big hit. Regards Ross Alisha
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Shelley Anderssays
I am new at the low carb diet. I like to receive any recipes that you have. I am interested in all kinds except seafood. Am allergic. But I like to learn new breakfast, lunch, dinner along with snack ideas. Also the holiday recipes would be great to receive also if you don't mind. Thank you! Better health,living and losing weight more is my main goal! Thank you again and God Bless you! Take care.
Shelley Anders
Reply
Tarynsays
Hi Shelley. All the recipes in this post have clickable links. You can see all my other recipes here:
If you're unfamiliar with a keto diet, here's the quick explanation: It's extremely low in carbohydrates and high in fat. Meat, including turkey with skin, is fine to consume, but other Thanksgiving staples aren't. Mashed potatoes are off limits, along with bread stuffing, rolls, sugary cranberry sauce and desserts.
As you can see, bread is by far the food people miss the most, followed by dessert/sweets and beer. Below are our best suggestions for low-carb versions of these foods.
Before starting, you should be aware that if you drop carbs cold-turkey, the first few days you will most likely experience symptoms of your body adjusting to lack of glucose. Many people starting off keto will go through this and it's often referred to as the “Keto Flu”.
The bottom line. You should avoid cheat meals and days on the keto diet. Consuming too many carbs can kick your body out of ketosis — and it takes several days to 1 week to get back into it. In the meantime, your weight loss may be disrupted.
This type of pizza crust can have up to 33g of carbs without any added sauce or cheese. If you're limiting your carbs to 20-50 grams per day, one slice of this type of crust will likely kick you out of ketosis.
With that said, you will probably see weight fluctuations as you increase carbs because carbs hold on to water (muscle glycogen) and you may become a bit more puffy or swollen looking than usual.
Make sure you are eating enough fat. Being much more energy-dense than carbohydrates, fats are also more satiating. They will also ensure that you stay in ketosis. Increase the size of your meals with nutrient-dense foods.
It will switch to breaking down fat into ketones, an alternative to glucose. This puts the body into ketosis, or a state with elevated ketones, which have side effects such as dizziness, weakness, fatigue and headaches.
After a cheat day, you can help your body reenter ketosis by lowering carb intake and boosting fat consumption. Exercising, fasting, and staying hydrated can also help speed up the process.
Introduction: My name is Wyatt Volkman LLD, I am a handsome, rich, comfortable, lively, zealous, graceful, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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