How To Have A Paleo Thanksgiving Slideshow
Candied Yams
Like potatoes, yams are a starchy tuber and are not allowed on the paleo diet. Instead, try roasting parsnips glazed with a little coconut oil and maple syrup for a similarly sweet and seasonal flavor.
Not paleo-friendly: Yams (or sweet potatoes), butter, sugar
Substitute with: Parsnips or carrots, coconut oil, maple syrup or honey
Cranberry Sauce
Instead of buying the sugary canned variety of this staple sauce, make your own. Cook down cranberries in water and sweeten to taste with maple syrup or a touch of honey for a turkey topping that is sweet and Paleo friendly.
Not paleo-friendly: Sugar
Substitute with: Honey or maple syrup
Swap out the sugar in this classic cranberry sauce recipe:
Mashed Potatoes
Nothing makes a better bed for your turkey dinner than mashed potatoes. Since potatoes aren't allowed on the paleo diet, however, try a dish of mashed cauliflower instead. With fewer carbs and more fiber, it's a smart choice for everyone at the table.
Not paleo-friendly: Potatoes, milk
Substitute with: Cauliflower, almond or coconut milk
Since dairy isn't allowed on the paleo diet, substitute the milk and cheese in this recipe with unsweetened almond or coconut milk:
Turkey
The pièce de résistance of any thanksgiving dinner, turkey is one component of this meal that doesn't need a paleo replacement. Just look for a company that sells wild turkey or pasture-raised birds to satisfy the criteria for paleo diet friendly meat. Most Whole Foods Market locations will carry a selection of pasture-raised turkeys. You can find a store near you by searching the locations on their website.
Not paleo-friendly: Factory-farmed turkey
Substitute with: Wild or free-range turkey
Stuffing
Since cereal grains are not permitted on the paleo diet, this bready dish can be tricky. Opt for a meat-based version instead, packing your turkey full of well-seasoned ground pork, celery, and onion. But if you find that traditional stuffing is a must-have, try baking up a loaf of this paleo bread to toss into your turkey.
Not paleo-friendly: bread
Substitute with: Ground meat, or paleo bread
Pumpkin Pie
Switch the white sugar in your grandma's pumpkin pie recipe with paleo-approved maple syrup or honey. To replace the grains, you can try out a recipe for an almond flour and coconut oil crust, or opt to serve the pumpkin dessert as a crust-less custard.
Not paleo-friendly: Sugar, milk, flour
Substitute with: Maple syrup or honey, coconut or almond milk, almond or coconut flour
Or try this recipe instead: