Thanksgiving is here! When looking at the table filled with delicious foods, you might want to chow down on everything; however, many of these dishes are not good for your body. Though there are some nutritious foods, such as vegetables and turkey, many of these traditional foods are incredibly unhealthy. This blog post will go over some of the worst foods to avoid this Thanksgiving holiday.

Gravy

Gravy is turkey fat and juices mixed with flour or cornstarch to thicken the texture. A quarter cup of gravy alone is over 100 calories and loaded with fat and sodium. Pour it on top of mashed potatoes or stuffing, and you’ve got a high-calorie, carb-loaded dish. Everyone loves gravy, but practice moderation, or switch it out for something healthier, like mushroom gravy. You can also use whole wheat, oat, or barley flour for a low-carb thickener option.

Ham

While ham isn’t the traditional dish of the holiday, many people prefer ham for its flavor and juiciness. Ham has lots of healthy protein, but it is also loaded with fat and sodium, which negatively affect heart health. Many packaged ham products are prepared with even more sodium, and the glazing on top has lots of unnecessary sugar. Try opting for turkey instead – it’s lean and rich in protein and other nutrients.

Stuffing

Don’t forget the stuffing! Even though most Thanksgiving dinners include a side of stuffing, this side dish is very unhealthy. Stuffing consists of bread, butter, and other fatty ingredients, like sausage, bacon, or giblets. Adding a big spoonful of stuffing to your plate is piling on the carbs and calories. Boxed stuffing is an even bigger culprit, as it is made with increased amounts of sodium for packaging and preservation purposes.

If you’re making your own stuffing, switch from white bread to whole wheat, and use cranberries or granny smith apples instead of fatty meats. Reduce the amount of butter by at least half, or use chicken or vegetable stock instead.

Green Bean Casserole

Green beans by themselves are nutritious; however, they can quickly become unhealthy when used in a casserole. Butter, fried onions, cream of mushroom soup, and other ingredients used in these casseroles are packed with sodium, fat, and calories. When preparing green beans or other vegetables for your dinner, keep it simple and flavorful – cut back on the toppings and focus more on the veggies themselves. Use freshly steamed green beans instead of fried or canned, replace the fried onions with panko breadcrumbs, and reduce the amount of butter and cheese. Mix it up with slivered almonds, walnuts, lemon vinaigrette, or other healthier alternatives.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Another disastrous casserole on the list – the sweet potato casserole features mashed sweet potatoes mixed with lots of sugar and butter, and is topped with brown sugar, pecans, and toasted marshmallows. These toppings overload the sweet potato and actually mask their natural flavor. This vegetable is already sweet, so cut out the processed sugar by removing all the fixings. Instead, roast or bake them with balsamic vinegar or maple syrup, then drizzle honey or cinnamon on top.

Pecan Pie

Out of all the pies, pecan pie is one of the worst. Pecans are rich in healthy fats, but piling them into a pie and overloading with butter and corn syrup is just too much. Just a single piece is more than 500 calories, and that’s not even counting the scoop of ice cream on the side. If you’re baking your own pie this holiday, use egg whites, low-fat butter, and light corn syrup. Or, choose pumpkin pie or sugar cookies instead.