|
|
|
Healthy Thanksgiving
November 15, 2007
|
For many people Thanksgiving brings with it the most anticipated meal of the year.
It’s one day out of the year that completely focuses on food. Dillon Cohen is a
college student who says the holiday is even more special for him this year since
he will be able to travel home to enjoy his mother’s cooking. “Thanksgiving is a
time to stuff your face. Mashed potatoes and gravy, can’t get enough of those that’s
always the best,” says Cohen. Nutritionists say many people are so passionate about
Thanksgiving that they overdo it. “The biggest thing about Thanksgiving is people
gorge themselves on food,” says Marjorie Chutkan a nutritionist for Lee Memorial
Health System.
Even though it’s only one day, Marjorie says gorging on turkey and stuffing and
have an adverse affect on your health. “Sometimes what you eat in that one meal
is what you
should be taking in in two days. You could be getting 3000 calories
in that one meal.”
But there are some simple tips to make your Thanksgiving meal healthier. Marjorie
says you can start with the stuffing. “You can use more fruits and vegetables. Your
stuffing can be made with whole wheat bread that you’ve toasted in the oven.” She
also says gravy can still taste great even when it’s low in fat and calories. “Gravy
can be made with low fat chicken broth, low fat, low sodium chicken broth. You can
also use that in your mashed potatoes instead o butter and whole milk. You can use
low fat milk in your gravies as well.”
As for that front yard game of football after dinner, Marjorie says it’s a Thanksgiving
tradition worth keeping. She says staying active before and after your holiday meal
is one of the best things you can do.
“Remember to do some kind of physical activity on that day. Don’t just think it’s
a day for eating. You can go for a walk, ride a bike, swim in the pool. If there
ever was a day to do physical activity to balance out your eating this is the one,”
says Marjorie.
Nutritionists advise you to eat a healthy breakfast and snack on things like fruit,
vegetables or yogurt before you sit down to Thanksgiving dinner. Another way to
keep your focus away
from the food is to take time to walk around and socialize
with friends and family.
|
|
|
|
