With Thanksgiving right around the corner, you may be wondering what to serve your guests that won’t undo your healthy eating regime. This year, with a little preplanning and a few simple recipe modifications, you can safely avoid those calorific casseroles and still serve your guests a meal to remember.

Traditionally, when we think of Thanksgiving, our mind wonders to unlimited spoonfuls of buttery mash potatoes and Green Bean Casseroles that are anything but healthy. But there are many delicious, healthy alternatives to your favorite dishes that you will be thankful for come time to squeeze into that holiday dress!

Instead of Green Bean Casserole, which is high in fat and sodium (thanks largely to its key ingredient, a can of Campbell’s soup), the following green bean recipe is both delicious and nutritious.

Roasted Green Beans with Cherries and Walnuts

Preheat oven to 425°. Place beans in a baking dish, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper. Roast for 15 minutes. Flip beans over and roast until beans are tender but not soft.

Remove beans from oven and transfer to a salad bowl. In another small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, Sherry wine vinegar, shallots, salt, pepper, and sugar. Toss the beans with the vinaigrette, walnuts and cherries and serve warm from the oven or at room temperature.

Instead of mashed potatoes, which are famous for their artery clogging butter and high fat milk or cream, try this lighter, more flavorful recipe on for size. Sweet potatoes are high in antioxidants A and C that work to combat the harmful effects of free radicals.

Sweet Potato and Ginger Mash

• 1 lb sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 2 tablespoons shredded ginger
• 2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1-2 tablespoons honey
• low-fat milk
• 2 tablespoons coriander

Boil the sweet potato and ginger in a saucepan of boiling water for five to seven minutes, or until tender. Drain and mash the potato with the olive oil, honey and just enough milk to make it smooth. Lastly, stir the coriander through the mash.