![\"How](\"https:\/\/potenzmittel.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/how-to-prepare-thanksgiving-dinner-for-less-1024x683-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family, and delicious meals. Yet, with rising food costs, many families worry about how to host a traditional feast without overspending.<\/p>\n
Recent food reports like the Butterball Togetherness Report: 2024 Thanksgiving Outlook and Wells Fargo\u2019s Agri-Food Institute Thanksgiving Report say inflation will greatly impact Thanksgiving food prices (1<\/a>, 2<\/a>).<\/p>\n This pressures those trying to preserve holiday traditions on a budget.<\/p>\n Fear not. With some thoughtful choices, you can prepare an affordable holiday meal that doesn\u2019t skimp on tradition, nourishment, or flavor.<\/p>\n This guide provides my tips to help you create a memorable Thanksgiving feast for less.<\/p>\n One smart strategy for a frugal Thanksgiving plate<\/a> is to prioritize whole foods<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Whole vegetables, grains, and meats can be cheaper and more nutritious than highly processed<\/a> or premade versions.<\/p>\n They also bring a freshness to your table that packaged foods can\u2019t match.\u00a0<\/p>\n For example, affordable whole foods like red quinoa, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes can stretch your budget. They also add fresh flavors and fall colors to your table.<\/p>\n Whole foods tend to take more prep time, though.<\/p>\n So, to make whole food preparation more manageable, involve others in the process.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ask some family members to bring their favorite homemade dishes to share potluck style. Or, make it fun and have a cooking day with friends.\u00a0<\/p>\n Choosing foods rich in hunger-fighting nutrients, particularly fiber and protein, can make each dollar go further.<\/p>\n Carrots, acorn squash, and leafy greens are a few excellent choices. They are rich in fiber<\/a>, which slows digestion and helps your guests feel more satisfied after their meal (3<\/a>).\u00a0<\/p>\n You can prepare these vegetables in many ways, from roasting to mashing and saut\u00e9ing. This will keep your Thanksgiving menu both interesting and nutritious.<\/p>\n Options like dried beans and lentils are wise, budget-friendly choices. They\u2019re high in both fiber and protein<\/a>. Protein is the most satiating macronutrient<\/a>, ensuring no guest leaves the table hungry (4<\/a>).<\/p>\n Kelsey Costa, MS, RDN<\/strong> is a registered dietitian and writer who offers impactful nutrition consulting services to leading health brands. She is an influential figure in nutrition science communication, promoting global public health and nutrition education.<\/p>\n Denise Hernandez, RD<\/strong> is a Food Data Curator at MyFitnessPal. Denise received her Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Biological and Physical Sciences from the University of Houston Downtown and completed her Master\u2019s Degree in Nutrition from Texas Woman\u2019s University.<\/p>\n Plant-based<\/a> ingredients tend to cost less than animal-based ones (5<\/a>).\u00a0<\/p>\n So, featuring a few plant-based holiday recipes<\/a> is a savvy way to save money on Thanksgiving food while diversifying your menu.<\/p>\n For example, lentil loaves, bean sides, and veggie casseroles can be cheap and filling. This can reduce the need for large, costly meat portions.<\/p>\n Plant-based recipes<\/a> also align with a growing interest in health-conscious eating<\/a>. Plus, they create an opportunity to expand your family\u2019s palate.\u00a0<\/p>\n Try incorporating dishes like mushroom stuffing or roasted chickpeas to add variety and depth to your Thanksgiving table.<\/p>\n Yet another way to save is to buy fresh produce in season. This ensures you get fruit and veggies that are more nutritious, affordable, and flavorful.<\/p>\n Local growing conditions and weather affect seasonal produce<\/a>. But fall favorites are usually abundant and reasonably priced at Thanksgiving.<\/p>\n Some in-season fruits and vegetables (6<\/a>) to consider for your menu include:<\/p>\n Organic fruits and vegetables cost more and may have similar nutrition to conventional produce. But, they are better for the environment and have much lower pesticide residues. (7<\/a>, 8<\/a>, 9<\/a>).<\/p>\n If you are shopping for organic or fresher, locally-grown produce, farmers\u2019 markets might have lower prices than supermarkets (10<\/a>).<\/p>\n When it comes to conventionally grown produce, supermarkets may generally offer the lowest prices (10<\/a>).<\/p>\n Turkey is often the centerpiece of a Thanksgiving feast. It\u2019s also one of the most expensive items on the menu.<\/p>\n Despite the high price, the Butterball report suggests that 87% of hosts still plan to serve turkey this year (1<\/a>).<\/p>\n So, if you\u2019re among them, here are some tips to help you save on your turkey purchase:<\/p>\n Skip turkey altogether if it\u2019s not a favorite among your guests. As a more affordable option, you could serve a whole chicken or a vegetarian main like quinoa stuffed acorn squash instead.<\/p>\n Some people prefer pork as their main dish, but turkey is usually cheaper than ham per pound (11<\/a>). Plus, turkey is expected to cost 16% less than last year, while ham costs are up 5.2% (2<\/a>).\u00a0<\/p>\n 5 Smart Strategies For Filling Your Thanksgiving Plate ><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Side dishes<\/a> are an essential part of Thanksgiving, and there are plenty of ways to make them affordable without sacrificing taste.\u00a0<\/p>\n Contrary to popular belief, not all fresh fruits and vegetables are pricier, nor are all canned or frozen options more cost-effective (12<\/a>, 13<\/a>).<\/p>\n Here are some up-to-date, cost-saving produce ideas for healthy, budget-friendly sides:<\/p>\n Sweet and russet potatoes<\/strong><\/p>\n Despite a 4% and 14% price rise from last year, they are still a good value for Thanksgiving dinner (13<\/a>, 2<\/a>). Save by skipping the pre-cut and peeled fresh or frozen potatoes and buy them fresh and whole. Plus, leaving the skin on adds fiber and texture to dishes. It also saves prep time, whether you roast or mash them.<\/p>\n Seasoned green beans<\/strong><\/p>\n The cost of canned green beans has risen by nearly 9% from last year (2<\/a>). But low-sodium canned green beans are still cheaper than fresh or frozen ones. Their nutrition is similar.\u00a0<\/p>\n Serving seasoned green beans is a great way to add a tasty, healthy vegetable side dish. If green bean casserole is a must-have, consider trying a healthy recipe with fewer calories and less fat. Or, savor the creamy, traditional version. It\u2019s a holiday!<\/p>\n Cranberry sauce<\/strong><\/p>\n Homemade cranberry sauce can be a healthy, budget-friendly option. Fresh cranberry prices are down 20%, while canned cranberry sauce is up 7% this year (2<\/a>). Making your own cranberry sauce also lets you control the ingredients. It reduces the refined sugar often found in canned, jellied cranberry sauces.\u00a0<\/p>\n But canned cranberry sauce still remains more cost-effective per serving. So if this is a customary treat your family enjoys only on holidays, enjoy canned cranberry sauce for both tradition and cost savings.<\/p>\n Roasted carrots<\/strong><\/p>\n Carrots are low-calorie, rich in antioxidants, and among the least expensive vegetables (14<\/a>, 13<\/a>). Avoid the pre-cut and peeled options and save by buying whole raw carrots (13<\/a>). Simply wash, peel, and chop before following your favorite carrot roasting recipe for a delicious, affordable side dish.<\/p>\n Bean dishes<\/strong><\/p>\n Dried beans and lentils are also among the most affordable vegetables and high-protein foods (13<\/a>, 15<\/a>). Soak and cook dried beans instead of buying expensive canned varieties to make a hearty bean salad, soup, or chili dish. You can prepare these dishes in advance and freeze them for the holiday, making them a convenient, healthy, and affordable choice.<\/p>\n Romaine salad<\/strong><\/p>\n Salads are another bargain option for the table. In addition to being one of the cheapest vegetables, the price of Romaine lettuce has decreased by about 10% compared to last year (13<\/a>, 2<\/a>). Add in more cost-effective fresh vegetables, like green peppers, onions, radishes, and cucumbers (13<\/a>). Throw it together with a light homemade dressing. Now you\u2019ve got a quick, nutrition-packed side dish.\u00a0<\/p>\n Desserts are the sweet conclusion to a Thanksgiving meal. And they don\u2019t have to be pricey to satisfy a crowd.<\/p>\n Classic options like pumpkin pie are budget-friendly, especially when made from scratch.<\/p>\n However, for the most savings, use fresh sugar pumpkin. Canned pumpkin is one of the most expensive vegetables per cup, and costs for canned pumpkins are up 30% from last year (2<\/a>, 13<\/a>).<\/p>\n Another option is to create a homemade crumble or crisp using fresh fruits. Whole raw apples and pears are two of the least expensive choices (13<\/a>).<\/p>\n For lighter options, you could slice and bake these fruits with cinnamon. Or, serve raw slices with homemade honey, yogurt, and peanut butter dip.<\/p>\n Any large family meal will come with some cost, especially with current grocery prices. But Thanksgiving doesn\u2019t have to break the bank. Prioritizing whole, nutrient-dense, plant-based dishes can help create a nutritious holiday celebration<\/a> without overspending.<\/p>\n Planning to choose the cheapest seasonal produce, fresh or otherwise, can save more money without sacrificing nutrition.<\/p>\n However, if your budget allows, feel free to keep traditional dishes on the menu in all their glory.<\/p>\n You can enjoy your favorite classic dishes and return to a health-conscious diet between holidays.<\/p>\n The post How to Prepare Thanksgiving Dinner for Less, According to a Dietitian<\/a> appeared first on MyFitnessPal Blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family, and delicious meals. Yet, with rising food costs, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":532,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/potenzmittel.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/530"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/potenzmittel.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/potenzmittel.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/potenzmittel.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/potenzmittel.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=530"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/potenzmittel.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/530\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":535,"href":"https:\/\/potenzmittel.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/530\/revisions\/535"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/potenzmittel.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/532"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/potenzmittel.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=530"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/potenzmittel.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=530"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/potenzmittel.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=530"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}A Dietitian\u2019s Tips for Budget-Friendly Thanksgiving Planning<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Prioritize Whole Foods<\/h3>\n
Focus on Nutrient Density<\/h3>\n
<\/div>\n
\nAbout the Experts<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\n<\/div>\nIncorporate Plant-Based Dishes<\/h3>\n
Buy in Season<\/h3>\n
\n
Affordable Alternatives to Thanksgiving Staples<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Turkey Tips<\/h3>\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n![\"5](\"https:\/\/potenzmittel.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/5-Smart-Strategies-for-Filling-Your-Thanksgiving-Plate-2-1024x643-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nYou might also like<\/h5>\n
<\/div>\nBudget-Friendly Sides<\/h3>\n
Dessert on a Dime<\/h3>\n
The Bottom Line<\/strong><\/h2>\n