Thanksgiving is the one day of the year that it’s expected to eat a lot of food. Most of the popular Thanksgiving dishes are absolutely packed with calories, carbs, fat, and sometimes sugar (other than the turkey of course!) But what about those of us that have health goals, and really want to make them a priority? These 17 Weight Watchers Thanksgiving sides will ensure that you’re able to fully participate in the holiday without ruining your diet. The fantastic thing about these Weight Watchers Thanksgiving sides is that they are full of the traditional flavors we all love. So you can still serve them to your family without having to worry that it’ll taste like “diet food.” They’re healthy, but will still be a hit among your Thanksgiving guests.
From roasted veggies to traditional stuffing, you will be able to find your favorite dish, and the exact steps to make it healthy. With this list of Weight Watchers Thanksgiving sides to guide you, there’s no reason to get off track from your goals. You can push for more weight loss even on the popular food holiday that Thanksgiving is.
1. Weight Watchers Thanksgiving Sides: Roasted Vegetables
These roasted vegetables feature potatoes, butternut squash, onions, and carrots so they easily incorporate the fall vibes that Thanksgiving brings. You don’t have to worry about having to eat anything green with this recipe. These veggies are coated in seasonings and herbs, and roasted to perfection. Roasted vegetables go amazingly with a Thanksgiving turkey.
2. Weight Watchers Thanksgiving Sides: Turkey Stuffing
Stuffing recipes have some basic ingredients, and this one uses the same basic ingredients but swaps them for turkey sausage and high-fiber, lower-calorie bread to help keep the points down. One serving is just three WW points. Add a side of roasted turkey, and you’ve got a healthy Thanksgiving meal that leaves you room for dessert.
3. Red Lobster Brussels Sprouts (Copycat)
Roasted brussels sprouts are a traditional Thanksgiving side that is healthy in itself. But this version spruces it up with lots of flavor by adding crispy fried onions and a soy ginger glaze. Even with those added, one serving is just three WW points. You may even turn a brussels sprouts hater into a lover with this delicious recipe.
4. Weight Watchers Thanksgiving Sides: Green Bean Casserole
This Weight Watchers-Friendly Green Bean Casserole is a delicious and nutritious take on a time-tested classic. And the best part is, you can’t taste that it’s “lightened up”. It still has the traditional flavor you’re looking for in a green bean casserole. With some low-fat cream of mushroom soup and a bit of cheese, you’ve got a delicious WW Thanksgiving side dish.
5. Sweet and Spicy Roasted Butternut Squash
Butternut squash is an amazing way to keep Thanksgiving sides healthy, while still enjoying the fall flavors. This sweet and spicy version lends to both the savory side of butternut squash as well as the slight, natural sweetness you get from roasting it. It takes just six ingredients and about 30 minutes to get this dish ready for the Thanksgiving table.
6. Maple Bacon Sweet Potato Bites
Skip the overly sweet (very unhealthy) sweet potato casserole, and wow your guests with these maple bacon sweet potato bites instead! You can use these as a Thanksgiving-themed appetizer, or serve right alongside a huge roasted turkey. As long as you use low-point bacon, these sweet potato bites are just 1 WW point each.
7. Weight Watchers Thanksgiving Sides: Roasted Parmesan Cauliflower
Not many people would want cauliflower as a Thanksgiving side dish, but you can happily prove them wrong with this roasted parmesan cauliflower recipe. Not only is it low in points, but it’s packed with nutrients as well. And roasting the cauliflower with a bit of parmesan gives it a savory, cheesy, caramelized bite that is absolutely delicious.
8. Weight Watchers Thanksgiving Sides: Glazed Carrots
Thankfully, this classic Thanksgiving side is healthy and low in points on its own. In just 20 minutes, you can have sweet and sticky roasted, glazed carrots ready to go. A serving of these will cost you about 6 points. However, you could easily lower those by using light butter and Swerve brown sugar rather than regular brown sugar.
9. Herb and Garlic Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
Yes, you can have garlicky, cheesy mashed potatoes and still stay on your Weight Watchers plan! This version of mashed potatoes uses plenty of fresh herbs to keep the dish flavorful and lightens up the calories by using reduced-fat cheddar cheese, fat-free sour cream, and light butter. But once it’s all mixed together, you won’t know the difference.
10. Cranberry, Apple, and Pear Stuffing
This crockpot stuffing will not only save oven room, but it will save you WW points and add a plethora of flavors to the traditional stuffing mix. With cranberries, apples, and pears added you get traditional holiday flavors without racking up the Weight Watchers points. It’s a great option to try if you have guests who aren’t a fan of the traditional savory stuffing.
11. Weight Watchers Thanksgiving Sides: Traditional Cornbread Stuffing
If you do have guests who are fans of the traditional savory stuffing, try this version to please all of them while keeping yourself on track with Weight Watchers at the same time. It’s very easy to make and will be about 4-5 WW points per serving. By making your own lightened-up cornbread, it saves you a good bit of calories.
12. Turkey Cranberry Brie Pinwheels
These turkey cranberry brie pinwheels are a fun spin on traditional Thanksgiving flavors. They work well as an appetizer before the big meal or as a new side dish. Turkey cranberry brie pinwheels are 2 points per pinwheel and only take 4 ingredients to make. They are super simple!
13. Weight Watchers Thanksgiving Sides: Corn Casserole
You may know corn casserole as “spoon bread” or “Jiffy corn casserole.” No matter what you call it, it’s easy to make and low in points One serving of this Weight Watchers version is six points per serving, and needs just five ingredients. It’s beautiful when it bakes up and belongs right next to the roasted turkey.
14. Cinnamon Apple Cranberry Sauce
If you’re not a fan of the canned cranberry sauce, try making this delightful cinnamon apple cranberry sauce from scratch instead. It’s packed with flavor without being high in calories. In fact, it’s much better for you than the store-bought cranberry sauce. It’s got some delicious add-ins to keep it from being too tart and sweet, such as almonds and mandarin oranges.
15. Weight Watchers Deviled Eggs
You absolutely need a healthy deviled egg recipe for any holiday gathering. By using nonfat Greek yogurt, reduced-fat mayonnaise, and fat-free sour cream, you can still get a creamy, delicious filling for the deviled eggs that won’t rack up your points for the day. Each deviled egg is just one point.
16. Garlic Bacon and Cheese Pull-Apart Bread
A good bread on the Thanksgiving table is a must, but most loaves will be too night in points for you to fully enjoy. This recipe adds a few ingredients to Pillsbury biscuit dough, to keep the flavor there, but the points low per serving. For three to four WW points, you can enjoy a healthy serving of this pull-apart bread that’s packed with garlic, bacon, and cheese.
17. Weight Watchers Thanksgiving Sides: Pumpkin Pie
Just like a loaf of good bread, you must have a good pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving! This pie bakes up without a crust, creating its own crust. By using a Truvia baking blend, you lower the sugar content to almost nothing, and it leaves it at three WW points per slice. Keep this pie stocked for yourself to snack on all week long.
Don’t lose track of your goals just because Thanksgiving is here. You can easily pack the Thanksgiving meal with flavor without adding unnecessary calories and WW points. This guide to 17 Weight Watchers Thanksgiving sides will show you how!
