Health & Fitness

Healthier Gravy and Turkey Stuffing

Worried that your belly might resemble the jolly guy in red after the holidays? Check out this low-fat take on two Christmas dinner staples

By Wellness Matters /

Credit: Flickr/ William Wilkinson

Boost the health factor of your holiday meal with low-fat, low-sodium gravy and stuffing

Holiday gravy and turkey stuffing can be flavourful without the excess fat and calories

Let’s face it: Your holiday turkey simply wouldn’t be the same without a savoury stuffing and gravy.

Unfortunately, stuffing is too often laden with butter, fatty sausage meat, nuts and other add-ins that send its calorie- and fat-counts off the charts.

Luckily, there are methods for making delectable stuffing and gravy that won’t stretch your waistline.

Healthy Holiday Eating Tips

Stuffing

  • Use whole-grain bread to boost the fibre content 
  • Sauté celery, onions and garlic for the stuffing in olive or canola oil rather than butter.
  • Add quality ingredients that will boost the flavour without adding fat, such as fresh herbs, dried cranberries or chopped figs.
  • Roast the stuffing in a separate casserole dish rather than inside the bird. 
  • Use reduced-sodium chicken broth to keep the stuffing moist. 

Gravy

  • If you’re using drippings from the turkey to make gravy, skim the visible fat before thickening and seasoning it.
  • Use a mixture of the drippings and chicken broth instead of 100% drippings.
  • Consider making gravy from a low-fat, low-sodium gravy base mix.

Originally published in Wellness Matters, Canada Wide Media’s quarterly newsletter on health and wellness.