Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, togetherness, and, of course, delicious food! Northwestern Medicine Bariatric Dietitian Audra Wilson, MS, RDN, CSOWM, CSCS, offers tips for making your Thanksgiving sides healthier — plus three recipe makeovers.

How to make your Thanksgiving meal healthier:

• Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
• Use olive or canola oil instead of butter.
• Use buttermilk instead of cream (works in most recipes).
• Double the vegetables in the recipe.
• Use flavorful cheeses like Parmesan and feta. You’ll use less cheese because of the big flavor.
• Use fresh and dried herbs and spices instead of salt.
• Try ground turkey, chicken or tofu crumbles in place of beef.
• Cook the carbohydrate components of the dish separately so that serving size can be manipulated.

Thanksgiving recipe makeovers: