THANKSGIVING (and other food-centric family holidays)

good morning, RNY'ers ... it's me again with my daily question and (sonetimes) ramblings. My siblings are in the midst of planning our family thanksgiving gathering. My father died in April and this will be the first family holiday without him, so it's an important one. As with so many families, our tradition centers on the meal more than anything (there's something so wrong about that concept but that's a topic for another day). SO, how to deal with the food! I have 5 siblings and no one has said anything (yet) but I know some of them are wondering how they can do the Thanksgiving meal with all the fat, sugar and calorie-laden family favorites everyone loves and looks forward to and still be conscious and responsive to my new food realities. So, I decided to be proactive and take the lead. I sent a group text this morning to let everyone know that, with the exception of a small bit of turkey, I probably wouldn't be able to eat much on Thanksgiving and because of that, I was planning to make some low carb, sugar free side dishes for myself. I also invited anyone who was interested in joining me in some sugar free options to let me know, and I would make enough to share. I haven't had any response yet, but hope this will alleviate any anxiety that anyone is feeling and let them know I'm okay with them enjoying all their favorites (candies sweet potatoes, beef and noodles, cornbread casserole, not to mention a spread of pies, cookies and other desserts). Geeze, no wonder I'm fat!

So, how do YOU handle big, traditional, food centered family gatherings? (now, off to begin planning some really delectible, healthy options so that my entire family will be jealous and decide instantly to convert to a sugar free, low carb, healthier way if eating ... lol ... like that's going to happen!)

We are having a quiet Thanksgiving - just Jim, my son Ian and I, so it will be really easy.   Turkey, Brussel sprouts, green beans and a little plain sweet potato.  I am type II diabetic, as well as a very sensitive dumper, so no sweet stuff, pies, desserts etc for me.

 I've had Thanksgiving at different places here in the US and they vary so much.  My first ever, in Allentown, PA, included some sort of sweet jello - on the savory plate!!! and sweet potatoes with marshmallow top?  Who knew?   Blew my English mind lol.

I limit myself to 3 foods and don't worry too much about what they are or whether they're carb/sugar-free because I won't be eating that much anyway.  So, I'd start with a little turkey/ham/salmon (whatever protein is being served), and then pick my 2 favorite sides.

I usually stick with the protein either turkey or ham and a bit of a vegetable or two. I am quick to dump too so now candied marshmallow covered sweet potatoes or desserts for me either.

I eat turkey, a little gravy, and the vegetables.  I have maybe a tablespoon or two of stuffing and sweet potato casserole.   If I'm up for dessert later, I have pumpkin yogurt.

I should add that I'm not a dumper, and I'm not particularly carb sensitive, as I know a lot of folks are....

Our thanksgiving in Canada is earlier than you, so I've already been through it. I just had turkey, a bit of gravy and some veg. The portions are so small, I don't bother making anything special for group events like that. 

But that's also because since pre op, I really don't feel like I'm missing out by not eating something, so I find it easy to not have it. I really don't know why that is, because I still love the ritual of cooking certain things, and tables full of people and good food. I just don't feel the pull to eat it. 

I've also started to add more activities to our get togethers, depending on people's abilities. Sometimes a walk, or a project that can involve people, or something as simple as googling some minute to win it game ideas. They are hilarious and don't require much effort to pull off.

I join my friends Thanksgiving dinner...I eat turkey  then ham... followed by some more ham.. a few bites of green beans.. maybe a bite of cauliflower casserole...

and when everyone is having dessert - I eat more ham... my friend makes "deadly" ham... I may use mustard or some horseradish sauce..(low sugar) to help with the ham...

but no matter how much I try to eat.. i often can eat 8-12 oz of ham in the 6 hours we are there..  yeas that is the da y i eat ALL the time...

I bring salad or fresh fruits...fruits - best dessert... a couple of strawberries... 

I've hosted since surgery and made Traditional and adapted items... the adapted items went over very well... the novelty of them I suppose, "ooooh what's that?" and were shocked when I said that was sugar free or something OK for me. LOL so hide some to be sure to get your portion ;) 

This year is quiet (we are a family of nurses, not me but most everyone else, so schedules don't allow) I will make turkey (smallest I can find) and before the night is through I will divide up the meat into portions usable for future meals and fridge/freeze... and I make a couple of sides... 1/2 or 1/4 recipes... I love to mess with leftovers though... so I like some leftovers... makes life easier for a day or 2.

Some things I do with the leftovers: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2014/11/thank sgiving-turkey-day-leftovers.html 

I make a lot of SF desserts but I picked up the ingredients for my crustless sweet potato pie so it'll probably be made for Thanksgiving http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2014/11/post- weight-loss-surgery-menus-day-in_13.html 

Hope you have a happy holiday!!

It will just be my husband and I for Thanksgiving this year, but between eggface's sight and Pinterest I am baking a small turkey, sausage stuffing, that uses riced cauliflower and no bread, butternut squash, and brussels sprouts. I can freeze portions of all of it.  I will make my husband something for a dessert and that's it!

I need a link for breadless sausage stuffing please!!!