I don’t say that subject line lightly, y’all.
One of the most challenging adjustments I’ve had with chronic cancer is that the meds are just … destructive. I mean, yes, they’re built to hold back aggressive cancer, yay. But lots of other stuff starts breaking, too.
I won’t go into the whole laundry list because who has that kind of time but I only bring it up because I’m now … type 2 diabetic. Which is really wild. I have monthly blood tests and everything was peachy … until it suddenly wasn’t. I was like WHAT.
And yeah, Thanksgiving is next week and if there’s one day of the year that’s a shrine to carbs — at least in my family — that day is it.
So, what am I gonna do? I have no idea lol. Nothing tanks my new blood sugar reality faster than potato and bread products. Maybe a little of this, a little of that, with some protein-rich turkey in between? And an extra workout on Friday? It’ll have to suffice.
Because if the Universe thinks it’s going to kill my beloved carbs on this carb day of days, it’s going to be sorely disappointed. I might not be able to indulge in them like a Medieval feast, but eat I will.
Avert your eyes, fellow T2s, because I’m about to be a horrible role model 😅
“Everything in moderation, including moderation.”
~ Oscar Wilde, by way of Ancient Greek philosophy
The Bird
Roasted Turkey Breast (for a small crowd)
Turkey — or any meat — is not the centerpiece of my family celebrations. In fact, I can’t remember the last time a whole bird was actually roasted in someone’s oven.
We’re sides people, and turkey is usually relegated to a platter at one end of the table, largely ignored. The weekend leftovers are awesome, but if yours is a sides family, too, a roasted turkey breast with skin on might just be the solution you’re looking for.
It’s considerably easier to manage for thawing, brining, and roasting, AND you still get the roasted turkey experience.
The Big Three
Mashed potatoes, dressing, mac and cheese: These are Thanksgiving magic. In fact, in the first year of the pandemic, when Thanksgiving was contained to individual household units, my dinner for two was literally Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes, Stovetop Stuffing, Private Selection Porcini Mushroom Truffle Mac & Cheese, and a bottle of sweet, fizzy wine. Pure heaven.
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
If you’re gonna go all out with the homemade sides, I say go all out on flavor, too. Creamy homemade mashed potatoes are awesome. Creamy homemade mashed potatoes touched with easy roasted garlic are awesomer.
I love mac and cheese in all of its forms, but this zesty variation with Cajun sausage and spices is the kick. I thought I was being a rebel with mac and cheese on Thanksgiving (enduring some side-eye from the fam), and then discovered it’s a Southern tradition. Justified!
I’m usually a stovetop M&C girl, because I love the creamy goodness, so I made sure that this oven-baked version was nice and saucy!
Wild Mushroom Bread Pudding with Sausage and Gruyère
Stuffing is controversial, right? Inside the bird, outside the bird. Cornbread or white bread. Is it “stuffing” or “dressing”? Homemade or boxed.
But if you really want to stoke some discussion, bring this savory bread pudding to the table. Bread puddings are usually desserts, but this is far from that. No, indeed: filled with sausage and cheese and mushrooms, this concoction is fluffy and tender, but deliciously celebration-meal-worthy.
In fact, it’s an entirely appropriate substitution for turkey or ham, for those who are skipping the big roast this year.
Other Stuff
Instant Pot Spiced Cranberry Sauce
In my book, cranberry sauce is an honorary sidekick to the Big Three: It’s a refreshing sort of fruity palate cleanser in between bites of rich carbs.
This recipe is for the no-thanks-to-the-can-shaped-cranberry-sauce crowd 🙋🏼♀️. Lol. My version is a little sweet, a little zesty, and a whole lot of easy. Just dump everything in the Instant Pot and let ‘er rip. Best of all: you can make it days ahead of time so there’s one less thing to think about on Thursday.
Brussels Sprouts get somewhat of an unfair rap, because while they’re definitely a stinky, acquired-taste vegetable when cooked, raw is an entirely different story. In the world of cabbage-y greens, Brussels sprouts are probably my favorite, and they make an amazing salad, including this one, with apples, fennel, pecorino, and bacon with an apple cider vinaigrette.
Whether you serve this as a light lunch or as a side to break up the heavy carbs, you don’t even have to mention the Brussels sprouts part of it. The peeps will love it.
I love sweet potatoes, but I am NOT a fan of the marshmallowy goop that’s a tradition on Thanksgiving. Yes, sweet potatoes are, well, sweet but they’re also amazing when treated as a savory component.
Here, they’re the stars of this casserole. Combined with brown butter, aged cheese, and lots of herbs, this dish is a unique substitute for — or companion to — mashed potatoes.
So … What about Soup, SoupAddict?
Yeah, I know. The list above includes no soup. Nada. Nichts. Zilch. Zip. It’s not that I’m against soup on Thanksgiving. But polling my own circle revealed that people want to indulge in the treats (a.k.a., The Carbs) and save the soup for recovering over the weekend.
And I don’t disagree. Soup provides a great option for guests — say, oh, I don’t know, responsible T2 diabetics — but barring that, the peeps said they didn’t want to take up tummy room with soup.
I think if you’re doing a full-blown hosting thing, where you’re feeding people all day long, then soup is absolutely a welcome menu item (e.g., serving a light lunch or brunch). So in that spirit, here’s a quick list of holiday-worthy soups to consider:
🌟 Browse the full collection of Thanksgiving recipes »
🌟 Don’t forget to plan for leftovers »
Until next time, friends, break out those eatin’ pants 🍽, stay kind 😊, and remember the holidays are hard for some ❤️🩹 — make extra soup to share 🫶🏻
Yes! Yes! Yes! Bring on those carbs! Those are also the holy trinity of my family! One eats just my stuffing and mac and cheese! And, dessert, of course! God bless you, sweetheart! You are in my prayers. Have a wonderful holiday!
I get it and totally enjoy your carbs. The recipes look delicious. L