Lightened-Up Thanksgiving Menu Options and Food Swaps to Save Calories

I'll admit that I don't normally think about calories when it comes to Thanksgiving. It has always been my favorite meal of the year. I look forward to it from the moment the leftovers from the current year are polished off. I've always figured, as long as I'm conscientious of my choices for the rest of the year, I can go hog wild on that single Thursday.

I'll admit that this might not be the best strategy and that planning my menu with an eye towards health is probably a good idea. So, maybe I'll start with one dish this year. One is better than none, right? Our friends over at My Fitness Pal offered to share this handy infographic on Thanksgiving food swap ideas to help me...and you, if you want to...start thinking about saving calories.

I've also included 25 Lightened-Up menu options after the infographic, so be sure to scroll down for lots of delicious (and healthy!) recipe ideas.

Lightened-Up Main Dish Ideas

• Healthy Turkey Roulade with Mushroom Stuffing and Blueberry Thyme Gravy from Food Done Light
• Slow Cooker Cranberry Turkey Breast

Lightened-Up Side Dish Ideas

• Butternut Squash Apple Bake from A Cedar Spoon
• Caramelized Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad with Goat Cheese and Roasted Grapes from With Salt and Wit
• Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Mashers from Kudos Kitchen By Renee
• Creamy Mashed Cauliflower with Ghee (Paleo) from EverydayMaven
• Fall Harvest Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette from With Salt and Wit
• Fall Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad from Iowa Girl Eats
• Gluten-Free Crockpot Wild Rice from Gluten Free Yumms
• Healthy, Low Calorie Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole from Food Done Light
• Kettle Corn Grilled Sweet Potatoes from The Big Man's World
• Maple Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Orange Zest from The Lemon Bowl
• Mushroom, Kale and Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash from The Tasting Page
• Real Mango Ginger Cranberry Sauce from The Organic Dietician
• Parmesan Roasted Potatoes from Swanky Recipes
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Honey Mustard and Pecans from The Organic Dietician
• Roasted Spiced Applesauce
• Simple Garlic Parmesan Green Beans from A Cedar Spoon
• Spiced Butternut Squash with Red Onion
• Toasted Coconut Green Beans from Wine & Glue
• Unstuffed Mushrooms from Busy in Brooklyn

Lightened-Up Dessert Ideas

• Crustless Sweet Potato Pie from Alida's Kitchen
• Pumpkin Mousse from Dessert Now Dinner Later via Super Healthy Kids
• Vegan Apple Cake from Keep It Sweet Desserts
• Vegan Pumpkin Pie with Hazelnut Cream from Namely Marly