Are you serving guests with dietary restrictions this Thanksgiving? Or looking to avoid a post-holiday feast food coma? We’ve got you covered. Here are some healthy and tasty alternatives for Thanksgiving dinner, whether celebrating with others or enjoying dinner for one.
Golden Roots Kitchen
Maple ghee roasted carrots with cinnamon Straus yogurt and pepitas from Golden Roots Kitchen. (Credit – Golden Roots Kitchen)
Organic food delivery service Golden Roots Kitchen, based in Scotts Valley, has Thanksgiving offerings for people with different dietary restrictions. Thanksgiving for One has an entrée choice of lion’s mane steak from local mushroom purveyor Far West Fungi or PT Ranch pasture-raised turkey breast for those who want traditional holiday turkey. Both come with accompaniments including loaded southern cornbread with masa harina, garlic mashed potatoes, maple ghee carrots with cinnamon yogurt and vegan yams with tahini and fried shallots. “It’s so nice to have the convenience of all of the offerings of Thanksgiving without having to purchase large family-sized portions of everything,” said founder and executive chef Melanie Geist.
A la carte selections, in two- or four-person servings, include the aforementioned yams plus two more vegan selections: wild and brown rice salad with greens and creamy garlic dressing and fresh slow-simmered cranberries with apple juice and cinnamon. Other dishes include roasted kabocha squash soup and desserts such as gluten-free apple tarte tatin.
Apple tart tatin dessert available on Golden Roots Kitchen’s Thanksgiving menu. (Credit – Golden Roots Kitchen)
“We’re so excited to be partnering with local farms and give thanks to the people who nourish us all year long,” said Geist. “Shout out to Far West Fungi, PT Ranch, Fogline Farms, Sea to Sky Farm, Donna Dirt, Borba Family Farm, Live Earth Farm and Spade & Plow, to name a few of our local farms featured on our menu.”
As always, all items made in-house by Golden Roots Kitchen are gluten-free. “We will also be offering dinner rolls and pies from Dani-O Bakeshop that contain wheat/gluten and dairy,” added Nicole Sanchez, Golden Roots Kitchen general manager.
The deadline to place orders is Nov. 20. All orders are ready for pick-up or local delivery Nov. 25. Visit goldenroots.bottle.com and click the Thanksgiving menu for details. For those unfamiliar with Golden Roots, the business curates weekly menus year-round for Santa Cruz County residents.
Dharma’s Restaurant
Capitola vegan and vegetarian restaurant Dharma’s has brought back its beloved holiday feast this Thanksgiving season. The large serving, which is both vegan and gluten-free, features breaded tofu, a wild rice medley, mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy, candied yams and cranberry-mango sauce. Customers can add a side salad, too.
Dharma’s owner Yogi Shapiro operates the restaurant with his father, Bernie Shapiro. “Some customers get our Holiday Feast every year for Thanksgiving,” said Yogi Shapiro. “In fact, it is so popular that we will be serving it for Christmas time as well.” Several years ago, Dharma’s started making the meal completely gluten-free, which it has remained ever since.
The feast is already available at the restaurant, having launched Nov. 14. The deadline to place advance orders is Nov. 25. All orders are ready for pickup Nov. 26. The restaurant is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27. If customers order either the feast or the BBQ Tofu de Beast meal during Thanksgiving week, Nov. 24-28, they receive a 25% discount. This is valid for online orders at dharmasrestaurant.com, and by phone or in-person for dine in, takeout or curbside pickup. BBQ Tofu de Beast is a large meal: tofu smothered in house-made BBQ sauce, accompanied by mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy, steamed mixed vegetables, garlic bread and coleslaw. There are options to make the dish vegan and/or gluten-free.
In other news, Dharma’s recently started offering occasional weekday discounts. This week, customers can receive a 25% discount on any stir-fry selection through Friday.
Other local purveyors selling vegan and/or gluten-free holiday options include stores Shopper’s Corner, Staff of Life, New Leaf Community Markets and Wild Roots.
More on alternative food choices
Some people think turkey, with an essential amino acid called tryptophan, is the cause of feeling sluggish after a classic Thanksgiving dinner. “However, it’s the combination of heavy simple carbs, rich sides, higher fat content and large portions that are the real culprit,” said Madison Reeder, registered dietitian and vice president of clinical operations at Georgia-based prepared meal delivery service ModifyHealth. “These can cause a quick rise and fall in blood sugar, contributing to that post-meal crash. If someone wants to feel lighter and more energized, building the meal instead around lean proteins and vibrant vegetables can make a big difference.”
There are other ways to think creatively about Thanksgiving options. San Francisco-based business The FruitGuys recommends adding color, health and wellness to your Thanksgiving table by featuring seasonal fruits and vegetables. “Incorporating whole foods supports a healthy gut microbiome, which is linked to lower anxiety and depression,” said The FruitGuys CEO Erin Mittelstaedt. “When our bodies are properly nourished and communicating efficiently, we’re able to show up as our most present, vibrant selves when surrounded by loved ones.” You can view recipes from The FruitGuys at fruitguys.com/blog/our-table-yours.
Dr. Samara Sterling, professor of vegetarian nutrition at Andrews University in Michigan, encourages people to try plant-based eating around the holidays. “Plant-based eating emphasizes fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes and whole grains,” she noted. “It’s the latest wellness hack this holiday season because it helps you feel lighter and more energized while enjoying delicious and wholesome foods. Also, the fiber in plants nourishes your gut bacteria, which helps to control weight and improve heart and brain function.”
Sterling also emphasized the value of connecting with people during the holidays. “Social integration is a key part of health as it helps to boost mood and fight inflammation. The holidays are a perfect time to nurture those relationships that matter.”
She offers these tips: Reach out to old friends or share a meal together. You can even host a Friendsgiving dinner to bring everyone together. Allow others to bring dishes they enjoy. These are wonderful ways to prioritize social and mental well-being. Share a few of your favorite plant-based dishes when you’re invited to dinners. Options like lentil loaf, vegan lasagna, tofu cutlets or mushroom wellington are delicious and fit well in a variety of holiday meals. Bringing a dish when gathering over food helps you bond with family and friends.
Dining and Cooking