Your Guide to Healthy Choices at Thanksgiving
Love Thanksgiving but hate the way you feel afterward? The holiday doesn't have to spell food coma, if you know which dishes you can eat with abandon—and which you should abandon entirely.
Go Ahead and Indulge:Turkey Breast
Skip the thighs—each one contains more calories than a thick slice of prime rib. Skinless white meat, on the other hand, is a top source of lean protein, with only 102 calories in three small slices.
Sweet Potatoes
These veggies are rich in fiber and low in calories (just 125 per half cup). Sprinkle with a dash of cinnamon, which has been shown to stabilize blood sugar levels.
Crudités and Healthy Dip
Dunk fiber-rich carrots, celery, and bell peppers in hummus instead of ranch dressing, and you'll gain a gram each of protein and fiber per 25-calorie tablespoon.
Red Wine
Pour yourself a small glass of Pinot Noir. Compared with other reds, it's richest in resveratrol, a compound that has been shown to reduce the risk of blood clots.
Gravy
Despite its bad reputation, gravy isn't a diet disaster. Even the giblets have less fat than you'd expect (about one gram per ounce). So ladle up: A quarter cup has just 50 calories.
Dishes to eat in moderation...or maybe avoid altogether
Photos: Levi Brown