Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Grain-Free Thanksgiving Feast: Delicious Recipes for a Healthier Holiday

Thanksgiving is a time to gather, celebrate, and indulge in delicious foods. But if you’re trying to stick to a gluten-free, dairy-free, and grain-free diet, it can feel like a challenge to create a menu that’s both festive and healthy. Not to worry! I’ve put together a complete Thanksgiving spread with recipes that are wholesome, flavorful, and free from common allergens, so everyone can enjoy the holiday feast without compromise.

Remember, whenever possible, opt for organic ingredients—they’re always the best choice for supporting your health and avoiding pesticides. Bonus points if you can source them locally, supporting your community farmers and ensuring freshness!

Here are some simple yet delicious recipes to inspire your healthy Thanksgiving table:

Leafy Green Options:

1. Warm Kale Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash and Pomegranate

Ingredients:

• 1 large bunch of kale, chopped and massaged with olive oil

• 1 cup roasted butternut squash cubes

• 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds

• 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds

• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• Sea salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Roast butternut squash at 400°F until tender (about 25-30 minutes).

2. Massage kale with olive oil and set aside.

3. Toss kale with roasted squash, pomegranate seeds, and pumpkin seeds.

4. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Garlic Sautéed Swiss Chard with Pine Nuts

Ingredients:

• 2 bunches Swiss chard, chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.

2. Sauté garlic until fragrant, then add the Swiss chard.

3. Cook until wilted, about 4-5 minutes. Toss in pine nuts.

4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Protein Options:

3. Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast

Ingredients:

• 1 bone-in turkey breast

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped

• 2 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• Sea salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2. Mix olive oil, herbs, garlic, salt, and pepper, and rub over the turkey breast.

3. Roast for 1.5-2 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

4. Let rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.

4. Maple Dijon Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Ingredients:

• 2 pork tenderloins

• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup

• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• Sea salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.

2. Whisk together maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar.

3. Season tenderloins with salt and pepper and brush with the glaze.

4. Roast for 25-30 minutes, basting occasionally, until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.

5. Let rest before slicing.

Whole Grain-Free Options:

5. Cauliflower “Rice” Stuffing

Ingredients:

• 1 head cauliflower, riced

• 1/2 cup celery, diced

• 1/2 cup onions, diced

• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

• 1 tsp dried sage

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• Sea salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pan and sauté celery and onions until soft.

2. Add cauliflower rice and cook for another 5-7 minutes until tender.

3. Stir in herbs and parsley, and season with salt and pepper.

6. Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon and Pecans

Ingredients:

• 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1/2 cup pecans, chopped

• Sea salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

2. Toss sweet potatoes with olive oil, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.

3. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes until tender.

4. Toss with pecans before serving.

Appetizers:

7. Stuffed Mushrooms with Cashew Cream

Ingredients:

• 12 large mushrooms, stems removed

• 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked and drained

• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast

• 1 garlic clove

• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

• Sea salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2. Blend soaked cashews, garlic, and nutritional yeast into a smooth cream.

3. Spoon cashew cream into mushrooms and bake for 20 minutes.

4. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

8. Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed

• 6 slices of nitrate-free bacon, cut in half

• Olive oil

• Sea salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

2. Wrap each asparagus spear with a half slice of bacon and place on a baking sheet.

3. Drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.

4. Roast for 15-20 minutes, until bacon is crispy.

Soup:

9. Creamy Butternut Squash Soup (Dairy-Free)

Ingredients:

• 1 large butternut squash, peeled and cubed

• 1 onion, diced

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 4 cups vegetable broth

• 1 cup coconut milk

• 1 tsp ground ginger

• Sea salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil until soft.

2. Add butternut squash and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes until squash is tender.

3. Blend the soup until smooth. Stir in coconut milk and ginger.

4. Season with salt and pepper.

Dessert:

10. Pumpkin Coconut Custard (Grain-Free, Dairy-Free)

Ingredients:

• 1 can pumpkin purée

• 1 cup full-fat coconut milk

• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup

• 2 eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp nutmeg

• 1/4 tsp ground cloves

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2. Blend all ingredients in a bowl until smooth.

3. Pour into ramekins or a baking dish.

4. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the custard is set. Cool before serving.

Mocktail:

11. Cranberry Ginger Sparkler (Low Sugar)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pure cranberry juice (no sugar added)

• 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger

• 2 cups sparkling water

• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice

• Fresh cranberries and mint for garnish

Instructions:

1. Mix cranberry juice, ginger, and lime juice in a pitcher.

2. Add sparkling water and stir gently.

3. Serve over ice with fresh cranberries and mint.

These gluten-free, dairy-free, and grain-free Thanksgiving recipes offer plenty of variety while ensuring that everyone at the table can indulge without worrying about dietary restrictions. From the hearty protein dishes to delicious sides and a refreshing mocktail, these options will keep your Thanksgiving healthy and satisfying.

Looking for more healthy holiday inspiration? Join my free Facebook group, Confidently Healthy Collective, for more tips and connect with like-minded individuals. Plus, don’t forget to check out my podcast, Confidently Balance Your Hormones, for even more helpful health insights.

This difference comes down to the complexity of female hormones and the unique stressors women face, especially as they age. While men’s metabolism may respond more predictably to exercise, women's bodies are influenced by various factors, including hormone fluctuations, stress, and overall well-being.

Hormonal Shifts and Weight Gain

For women, post-40 weight gain is often tied to hormonal changes. As estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels shift, it can impact metabolism, fat distribution, and the body’s ability to burn calories efficiently. For example, declining estrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause can cause the body to store more fat around the abdomen, even if your diet and exercise routine haven’t changed.

Cortisol, the body’s stress hormone, can also play a huge role. Women often carry multiple responsibilities, leading to chronic stress. This can keep cortisol levels high, signaling your body to hold onto fat, especially around the midsection. It's the body’s way of protecting itself when it perceives stress.

Why Men Drop Weight Faster

Men typically have more muscle mass, which boosts their metabolism and helps burn more calories even at rest. Testosterone plays a major role in maintaining this muscle mass, which is why men often lose weight faster with exercise. Women, on the other hand, experience a drop in hormone levels as they age, which can lead to muscle loss and a slower metabolism. Additionally, female hormones interact with other bodily systems in a more complex way, often making weight loss slower.

Why Functional Lab Testing is Key to Unlocking Weight Loss

If you’ve been eating clean, exercising, and still aren’t seeing the scale move, it could be due to hidden stressors or imbalances within your body that are preventing weight loss. This is where functional lab testing comes in.

As a functional health practitioner (FDN-P), I use functional lab testing to uncover what’s truly going on beneath the surface. Often, the body holds onto weight because it doesn’t feel safe enough to let it go. It prioritizes survival over weight loss, and if there are stressors in the body, such as hidden infections, nutrient deficiencies, or hormonal imbalances, your body will store fat as a protective mechanism.

Here are a few common hidden stressors that can block weight loss:

• Thyroid dysfunction: An underactive thyroid can slow your metabolism, leading to weight gain, fatigue, and difficulty losing weight.

• Gut health imbalances: Infections like parasites or bacterial overgrowth can trigger inflammation, making it harder for your body to release fat.

• Blood sugar dysregulation: Insulin resistance can develop over time, especially with chronic stress, making it more difficult for your body to burn fat efficiently.

• Cortisol imbalances: High cortisol levels from chronic stress signal your body to hold onto fat, especially around the belly.

• Low vital reserves: When your body is depleted of essential nutrients, it will struggle to maintain balance and may hold onto fat as a protective measure.

Functional lab testing can identify these vital voids and healing opportunities, allowing us to cut to the chase. When we know what’s out of balance, we can create a personalized plan to address these root causes, helping your body feel safe enough to release weight. Remember, weight is usually the last thing to go when there are underlying stressors, and functional lab testing helps pinpoint where to focus your efforts.

Getting Started with Holistic Health

Through functional lab testing, we can uncover these hidden stressors and imbalances so you’re not left guessing. By addressing the root causes, your body can regain its balance, making it easier to lose weight naturally.

If you’ve been struggling with weight gain after 40 and are tired of quick-fix solutions that don’t work, it may be time to take a deeper look. As a functional health practitioner specializing in holistic health, I’m here to guide you through this process and create a plan that’s tailored to your body’s unique needs.

Want to dive deeper into this topic? Check out my podcast episode on Confidently Balance Your Hormones, where I explore this exact issue and offer solutions. You can click here to listen.

For ongoing support and tons of health insights, join my free Facebook group, Confidently Healthy Collective. In this group, you’ll find more resources, connect with a like-minded community, and get tips for achieving lasting health.

Connect with me, Dee Davidson, FDN-P, to explore how functional medicine and functional lab testing can help you find the hidden obstacles preventing your body from releasing weight. Let's get to the root of the issue together!

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Dee Davidson is a Functional Health Practitioner, hormone health expert, and advocate for personalized health and integrative care. With a focus on functional health and functional nutrition, Dee provides bio-individualized solutions to help clients restore balance. To learn more about how functional lab testing, functional medicine, and a holistic health approach can support your wellness journey, listen to her Confidently Balance Your Hormones podcast or schedule a discovery call at ConfidentlyLoveYourself.com.