Thanksgiving Tantalizing Tips

Tip #1

Eat foods that are in season. Apples, cranberries, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, winter squash and turnips are all in season now! These fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants that help prevent cancer and other diseases as well as help to control blood sugar levels and weight gain. 

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” . Apples are high in ,pectin, a soluble fiber which helps decrease blood cholesterol levels. They are also packed with a variety of antioxidants including quercentin. Quercentin has been found to help prevent LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol).  Apples are easy, portable, inexpensive, and high in fiber—apples are the perfect Fast Food!

Tip #2
Swap less healthy holiday side dishes and snacks for more nutritious ones. Small changes can make a huge difference in your overall health.  Here are a few examples:

*Trade out the chips and dip for raw veggies with hummus or light cream cheese

*Swap out the dark meat turkey with stuffing and gravy for white meat turkey and cranberry sauce

*Try mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes

*Instead of green bean casserole, try more simple sautéed green beans

*For dessert go for the pumpkin pie instead of the pecan pie

Tip #3

Stop eating when you are comfortably satisfied with your meal. How?

• *Take a tablespoonful of each side dish and just a slice of turkey and focus on foods full of fruits, vegetables, and those that are not cream based.
• *Wait a few minutes before going back for more to see if you are stil hungry.
• Slow down and taste your food and enjoy the time you are sharing with friends and family!

Thanksgiving Turkey Nutrition Facts:

The traditional Thanksgiving turkey can be a healthy option on the dinner table. The white meat is low in fat and cholesterol, and is packed with protein to keep you full for the night. Turkey is a great source of iron, zinc, phosphorus, potassium, and B vitamins. It’s also full of an amino acid called tryptophan, which most people blame for their sleepiness after Thanksgiving dinner. The reason we want to nap after dinner is the increased amount of food we consume, especially the large amount of carbohydrates.