Every year on Thanksgiving we all gather around with are families and give thanks. We also consume more calories in one day than we do in several days. I know we all say, "It's one day out of the year, and we'll burn it off tomorrow." This starts the overeating process that takes place from Thanksgiving up until New Years when you'll be making a New Years' resolution to lose weight. You don't have to make Thanksgiving the beginning of an overeating season; you can choose what you eat wisely and benefit from many Thanksgiving food items!
The Best Thanksgiving Foods:
1. Turkey- Turkey is one of the best meats you can get, so you don't have to feel as guilty loading up on the turkey; make sure you stick to the white sections of the turkey though, because the dark sections are where all the fat is. Turkey is a great source of protein and is one of the leanest meats. It is low in saturated fat and low in cholesterol. Turkey is also a great source of selenium, a mineral that helps lower your chance of getting cancer. Make sure that you don't load down your healthy meat with gravy or stuffing. Don't skip out on the turkey, it is definitely better then ham!
2. Cranberries- This is the time of year when everyone pulls out a can of cranberry sauce and enjoys watching it jiggle on the plate in its cylindrical form. Cranberry sauce would be healthier if it wernn't loaded with all of the sugar in the can. Cranberries are great for you, so if you can try to make your own cranberry sauce so you can have the greatest benefits from it. Cranberries help in preventing urinary tract infections, fight off cancerous cells, and are a great source of fiber. Don't miss out on the health benefits of cranberries; make your own cranberry sauce from scratch and enjoy!
3. Pumpkin- Pumpkin pie is a staple dessert and a must have for Thanksgiving. You can make your pumpkin pie healthy by using whole grain crust and by not adding sugar and unnecessary fats. Pumpkin is great source of potassium, fiber, and vitamin A. It helps in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, eye problems, and rheumatoid arthritis. So when you have a big-ol' helping of pumpkin pie this year, don't feel too bad because you're benefiting from the sweet goodness it provides.
4. Raw Vegetables (celery, carrots, broccoli, olives)- This is the tray you see on the countertop before all the food is ready. This food has to do until the feast begins, and if you skip the dressing, you can actually benefit from the tray of raw vegetables. Carrots are a great source of lutein and beta-carotene (an antioxidant that gives it its orange color); this helps in fighting cancerous cells, cardiovascular disease, and helps with your vision. Celery helps in stimulating digestion and lowering high blood pressure. Broccoli is a great source of calicum, reduces the risk of breast cancer and many other forms of cancer. You want to choose your olives wisely; choosing the less processed ones is best. Olives help in preventing cancer, are loaded with monounsaturated fats that are good in raising good cholesterol, and help in lowering your risk of heart disease.
5. Whole Wheat Rolls/Bread- You want to stay away from the refined, overly processed white bread that has a spoonful of butter on it and go for the wheat roles. Whole wheat/whole grain rolls contain more fiber than regular white rolls. It is also loaded with B vitamins, magnesium, and iron. Whole wheat helps prevent colon cancer and heart disease. You can eat them plain or bake them; whatever you do, just skip out on the butter to save your arteries some wear and tear.
Along with these must-have healthy foods, be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to help keep you hydrated so you will feel fuller faster. Try to stay away from adding so much salt and sticks of butter. After eating your feast and watching the daily football games, get out of the house and go walk, throw the football around, or do any activity to help with all the extra calories you've consumed. Thanksgiving does only come once a year, so if you do overeat, make sure its on healthier food items, opposed to butter loaded mashed potatoes and corn.
Check out these Thanksgiving decorations!
The Best Thanksgiving Foods:
1. Turkey- Turkey is one of the best meats you can get, so you don't have to feel as guilty loading up on the turkey; make sure you stick to the white sections of the turkey though, because the dark sections are where all the fat is. Turkey is a great source of protein and is one of the leanest meats. It is low in saturated fat and low in cholesterol. Turkey is also a great source of selenium, a mineral that helps lower your chance of getting cancer. Make sure that you don't load down your healthy meat with gravy or stuffing. Don't skip out on the turkey, it is definitely better then ham!
2. Cranberries- This is the time of year when everyone pulls out a can of cranberry sauce and enjoys watching it jiggle on the plate in its cylindrical form. Cranberry sauce would be healthier if it wernn't loaded with all of the sugar in the can. Cranberries are great for you, so if you can try to make your own cranberry sauce so you can have the greatest benefits from it. Cranberries help in preventing urinary tract infections, fight off cancerous cells, and are a great source of fiber. Don't miss out on the health benefits of cranberries; make your own cranberry sauce from scratch and enjoy!
3. Pumpkin- Pumpkin pie is a staple dessert and a must have for Thanksgiving. You can make your pumpkin pie healthy by using whole grain crust and by not adding sugar and unnecessary fats. Pumpkin is great source of potassium, fiber, and vitamin A. It helps in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, eye problems, and rheumatoid arthritis. So when you have a big-ol' helping of pumpkin pie this year, don't feel too bad because you're benefiting from the sweet goodness it provides.
4. Raw Vegetables (celery, carrots, broccoli, olives)- This is the tray you see on the countertop before all the food is ready. This food has to do until the feast begins, and if you skip the dressing, you can actually benefit from the tray of raw vegetables. Carrots are a great source of lutein and beta-carotene (an antioxidant that gives it its orange color); this helps in fighting cancerous cells, cardiovascular disease, and helps with your vision. Celery helps in stimulating digestion and lowering high blood pressure. Broccoli is a great source of calicum, reduces the risk of breast cancer and many other forms of cancer. You want to choose your olives wisely; choosing the less processed ones is best. Olives help in preventing cancer, are loaded with monounsaturated fats that are good in raising good cholesterol, and help in lowering your risk of heart disease.
5. Whole Wheat Rolls/Bread- You want to stay away from the refined, overly processed white bread that has a spoonful of butter on it and go for the wheat roles. Whole wheat/whole grain rolls contain more fiber than regular white rolls. It is also loaded with B vitamins, magnesium, and iron. Whole wheat helps prevent colon cancer and heart disease. You can eat them plain or bake them; whatever you do, just skip out on the butter to save your arteries some wear and tear.
Along with these must-have healthy foods, be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to help keep you hydrated so you will feel fuller faster. Try to stay away from adding so much salt and sticks of butter. After eating your feast and watching the daily football games, get out of the house and go walk, throw the football around, or do any activity to help with all the extra calories you've consumed. Thanksgiving does only come once a year, so if you do overeat, make sure its on healthier food items, opposed to butter loaded mashed potatoes and corn.
Check out these Thanksgiving decorations!
image source- img.timeinc.net
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