Thanksgiving Without Regret: How to Dine and Actually Feel Good!

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. When we moved to France with two young kids, I was thrilled—and a little nervous—to host our very first Thanksgiving dinner for our newfound French friends.

What I didn’t realize at the time was just how unprepared I was for the task. Not only did I barely know how to cook, but I was also juggling a three-month-old baby and a two-year-old toddler—with no family nearby to lend a hand.

Determined to make it special, I went on a mission to find the star of the show: the turkey. To my surprise, the French don’t typically eat turkey, and the one I found was barely bigger than a chicken! In hindsight, that was probably a blessing—our tiny French oven couldn’t have handled anything larger.

Phew!

Now picture this (and feel free to laugh at my expense): I decided to cook everything the morning of Thanksgiving Day, completely underestimating how long it would take. Our kitchen didn’t make things any easier—it was about six feet long, barely wider than my hips, with two cramped countertops and a narrow walkway that opened into the living room.

By late morning, panic began to rise as I glanced around at the chaos—both counters buried under dirty dishes, ingredients scattered everywhere—and wished that one of my culinary-gifted parents could swoop in to rescue me. Of course, they were an ocean away, so I powered through.

The food was late, most of it cold, and I honestly can’t tell you how it all tasted. But despite the mess and mayhem, the evening was full of laughter, good company, and the kind of memories that make Thanksgiving my favorite holiday to this day.

For as much as I love Thanksgiving, I don’t miss the IBS symptoms that used to follow it.

Those cozy comfort foods—turkey, gravy, stuffing, and pumpkin pie—always came with a side of regret. And if you have IBS, you know exactly what I mean: that uneasy mix of excitement and dread before a holiday feast, wondering if your symptoms will crash the party.

Over the years—after healing my own IBS and helping countless clients navigate the holiday season—I’ve developed a comprehensive, stress-free approach to enjoying social gatherings without the fear of flare-ups. Because let’s be honest, no one wants to miss out on the fun, make a scene about what they can’t eat, or fall back into old habits that leave them feeling awful later.

So, here are my 5 go-to tips to help you handle any holiday situation with confidence and calm:

👉1. Let your close circle know what you can and cannot eat. These are the people who see you most often, and true friends will understand and support you. A little heads-up can go a long way toward easing anxiety and avoiding awkward moments.

👉 2. Host when you can. When you’re the host, you’re in control of the menu. You can create a delicious spread that’s safe for you and enjoyable for everyone else. Plus, it’s a great way to introduce your loved ones to new, healthier versions of classic favorites.

👉 3. Eat before you go out. If you’re heading to a party and aren’t sure what will be served, have a meal or a hearty snack beforehand. Showing up satisfied helps you resist temptation—and prevents those desperate “I’ll just eat this and hope for the best” moments.

👉 4. Bring a dish you know you can eat. Last Thanksgiving, we went to a relative’s house, and I brought a green bean dish I knew was safe for me. That way, I had at least two things on my plate I could enjoy—turkey and green beans. It made all the difference.

👉 5. Eat when you get home if you need to. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, there just isn’t anything safe to eat—and that’s okay. I’ve been there more times than I can count. It’s far better to wait and enjoy a meal at home than to spend the evening uncomfortable and wishing you hadn’t. (Hopefully that won’t happen at Thanksgiving dinner!)

This year, I’m hosting Thanksgiving for our immediate family. Fortunately, for various health reasons, most of us share similar dietary restrictions—so planning the menu is actually fun!

To make things easier (and tastier), I’ve created a Thanksgiving meal plan with healthy, IBS-friendly versions of our favorite holiday dishes—and I can’t wait to share it with you.

Here’s what I’ll be serving at our holiday table this year…

1. No Fuss Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe- https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/easy-no-fuss-thanksgiving-turkey/

   
   

2. Homemade Gravy- https://paleogrubs.com/turkey-gravy
   

   1. I have never had much luck using arrowroot to thicken sauces. This year, I will substitute the arrow root with a handful of cashews. Place the gravy in a blender with a handful of cashews and put on high for several minutes. 
      

3. Butternut Sausage Stuffing With Apples and Cranberries- https://www.paleorunningmomma.com/butternut-sausage-paleo-stuffing-with-apples-and-cranberries/#wprm-recipe-container-17463
   

4. Mashed Potatoes- https://www.realfoodwithjessica.com/paleo-whole30-mashed-potatoes/
   

5. Cranberry Sauce- https://www.paleorunningmomma.com/homemade-paleo-cranberry-sauce/#wprm-recipe-container-16957
   

6. Sweet Potato Casserole- https://www.maryswholelife.com/paleo-sweet-potato-casserole/#wprm-recipe-container-2990
   

7. Green beans and bacon- https://oursaltykitchen.com/green-beans-bacon/
   

8. Pumpkin Pie- https://downshiftology.com/recipes/pumpkin-pie-gluten-free-paleo/#wprm-recipe-container-33842
   

9. Pumpkin Cashew Cheese- Cake-https://www.paleorunningmomma.com/chocolate-pumpkin-cashew-cheesecake/#wprm-recipe-container-17751
   

10. Apple Pie Bars- https://www.paleorunningmomma.com/chocolate-pumpkin-cashew-cheesecake/#wprm-recipe-container-17751

Thanksgiving should be about connection, gratitude, and joy—not digestive distress. With a little preparation and mindfulness, you can still enjoy every moment and every bite without fear. Remember, it’s not about perfection; it’s about feeling your best so you can truly be present with the people you love. Here’s to a Thanksgiving that leaves your heart (not your belly) full.