By Donna V. Scaglione
Let’s face it: The Thanksgiving holiday centers around a wonderful meal. Many of us look forward to juicy turkey, flavorful stuffing, succulent potatoes, and lots of other fixings. Then there are the desserts: traditional pumpkin pie, fruit pies, and maybe something with chocolate. It’s no wonder morning-after guilt strikes on Black Friday. (Some estimates put the meal calorie count at 3,500.) But this Thanksgiving does not have to be another holiday for overdoing it. Here’s how to love the bird and still love yourself.
1. Shop wisely
It all begins in the grocery store, so make smart choices here and you’re on your way to preparing a healthy Thanksgiving meal. For snacks and appetizers choose unsalted nuts, high-fiber crackers, raw vegetables, and low-fat dressing and hummus, suggests the American Heart Association. Buy low-fat or non-fat egg nog. For creamy and flavorful mashed potatoes, buy evaporated milk and low-sodium chicken broth. Skip pre-packaged pumpkin pies; the crusts can be high in trans and saturated fats. Enjoy angel food cake with fresh or frozen berries instead.
