3 Ways to Makeover Your Mashed Potatoes

Move over mashed potatoes, there’s a new healthy Thanksgiving tradition in town—in fact, there are three!

Listen, we all love mashed potatoes. Creamy and warm, they’re the quintessential comfort food. But according the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), just one cup of homemade mashed potatoes prepared with butter and whole milk can clock in at almost 250 calories and nine grams of fat. Plus, depending on how they’re prepared, mashed potatoes can be rife with saturated fat and cholesterol which are not so great for your heart—or your waistline.

So what’s a mashed potato lover to do? Find other things to mash, of course! Check out our three favorite replacements for this seasonal side dish below. And don’t forget; Nutrisystem offers many perfectly portioned versions of your family favorites, like mashed potatoes, turkey dinners and more. You can always count Nutrisystem for easy Thanksgiving meals and recipes that are sure to keep the trim in your Turkey Day!

1. Mashed Turnips with Apples

Servings: 6

Counts As: 1 Vegetable and 2 Extras

Ingredients:
4 cups small white turnips, scrubbed and cubed
2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and cubed
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Sprinkle of salt (optional)

Directions:
1. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil
2. Add turnips, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook until turnips are tender (about 5-6 minutes)
3. Drain and place turnips in blender with remaining ingredients then blend until smooth

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2. Mashed Cauliflower

Servings: 4

Counts As: 1 Vegetable and 2 Extras

Ingredients:
4 cups of cauliflower
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
½ cup non-fat or reduced fat milk

Directions:
1. Remove cauliflower stem and leafy greens, then cut cauliflower head in half
2. Remove middle section then slice cauliflower into chunks
3. Place cauliflower in boiling water until water turns opaque (about 5-8 minutes)
4. Turn burner to low, drain cauliflower, and return pot to stove
5. Add tablespoon butter and ½ cup reduced fat milk and add cauliflower back in pot
6. Mash with handheld blender, fork or hand masher

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3. Sage and Celery Root Mash

Servings: 4

Counts As: 1 Vegetable and 1 Extra

Ingredients:
4 cups celery root (about 2 small heads), peeled and diced
Zero calorie cooking spray
¾ cup non-fat milk (1 extra?)
Handful of sage leaves
Salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions:
1. Bring a large pot of water to boil over medium-high heat and add celery root. Boil until
tender (about 25-30 minutes)
2. Drain celery root and place in blender with milk and seasonings
3. Spray a large skillet with cooking spray and bring to medium-high heat. Add sage leaves
and cook until crisp (about 5-6 seconds)
4. Transfer leaves to blender and blend until evenly distributed throughout mash

Want to lose weight enjoying delicious meals? Get started with a Nutrisystem plan today!