The average American consumes between 2,000 and 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving, according to an evaluation of holiday meals done by the statistics and research outfit, Electro IQ. Cutting that intake down requires rethinking a couple of the traditional dishes we’ve come to expect around the holidays, or at least how we present them.

I’ll be the last one who’ll get in the way of a slice of pumpkin pie (I plan on getting in line myself) but there are some creative avenues that’ll settle everyone’s appetites without doing too much damage before the big meal.

Chicken ranch salad

Quick to prep and usually someone will be thankful there’s a salad in sight at Thanksgiving. Plenty of mix-in opportunities (i.e. bacon bits, cheese, celery, ranch-flavored seasoning packets, etc.).

Tater casserole

Might win one with some points with Idaho here, but this potato-lovers side is most commonly found closer to Minnesota or Wisconsin. Think hamburger casserole covered with a solid layer of tater tots.

Sweet potato pie bars

Divide up the pie, and have a bit more fun toppings-wise with this option (i.e. streusel, toasted marshmallows, etc.). Works with almost any pie, but sweet potato pie in particular may receive some pushback when competing with juggernauts like apple or pumpkin.

Cranberry brie bites

Combine brie, a soft French cheese made from cow’s milk, with cranberry sauce and laid down in bite-sized pastry or phyllo shells.

Stuffed mushrooms

Fill mushroom caps with a sausage mixture (cheese, breadcrumbs, spinach dip). Easy appetizer that’ll buy you some time getting the turkey out the door.

Pumpkin hummus

I’ve never tried this one, but it’s intriguing enough that I checked into a couple of recipes, and most take little more than 10 minutes! Pair with pita chips.

Roasted vegetables

Any assembly of carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts or beets always pairs well with the main event: the turkey. Not as heavy as the green bean casserole and cuts down significantly on time.