Easily Cut 400 Calories at Thanksgiving

Potatoes: Mashed potatoes are usually made with heavy cream and butter. Try using buttermilk instead of cream, and use half the butter you normally use. You'll be surprised how similar they taste. Calories saved: about 90.
 
Cakes and pies: Yes, you can still serve dessert! Try substituting unsweetened applesauce or pureed prunes for half the sugar in your baking recipes. To make your cake even leaner, try substituting egg whites or egg substitute for the eggs in recipes. If the eggs are used as an emulsifier, it’s best to use egg substitute (1/4 cup = 1 egg). Calories saved per 1/8 cake or pie piece: 96.
 
Whipped cream: Cutting whipped cream from a holiday meal seems a bit cruel – but this tasty topping is loaded with fat. Try making your own whipped cream using evaporated milk instead. It offers a similar taste and texture without the fat and guilt. Calories saved per 2 Tbsp serving: 60.
 
Turkey: It's not a holiday meal without the turkey! And believe it or not, turkey is actually a healthy item on your holiday menu. It’s an excellent source of protein, and has the least amount of fat per serving among all meats, if you pass on the skin. Calories saved per serving by skipping the skin: 45–63.
 
Celebratory alcohol: Instead of eggnog, serve champagne or sparkling wine. Calories saved per serving: 100.

Tips by Gloria Tsang. She a nutrition expert, dietician and author of the book "Go UnDiet: 50 Small Actions for Lasting Weight Loss."