Hearty and flavorful, stuffing can be a healthy addition to a South Beach Diet–friendly Thanksgiving dinner beginning on Phase 2 if you take care with the ingredients. There are plenty of healthy foods you can easily add to your stuffing recipe. Here are some suggestions:
- Bread crumbs. Use 100% whole-wheat bread crumbs or bread cubes. Save stale bread and make your own!
- Whole grains. Consider using whole grains like wild or brown rice, quinoa, whole-wheat matzo, or barley instead of bread for a nuttier and grainier texture.
- Veggies. Add finely chopped onions, garlic, mushrooms, carrots, celery, turnips, winter squash, or rutabaga for vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
- Nuts. Add chopped toasted walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, or pecans for texture and heart-healthy fat.
- Fruit. Add dried cranberries (no added sugar) and/or apricots (unsweetened) or fresh pears or apples for their natural sweetness, antioxidant vitamins, and fiber.
- Herbs. Add parsley, chives, rosemary, thyme, sage, or another herb of your choice for additional flavor and nutrients.
