Eating healthy and losing weight during the holidays__ is difficult but, I swear, not actually impossible to do. Yes, there are ways to lighten up Thanksgiving dinner but there's more to it than that. One of the worst things about Thanksgiving is that we can actually go majorly overboard and that there are some Thanksgiving nutrition myths that have us putting on the calories without even realizing it. That's why I'm sharing these 6 tips on how to keep yourself from going overboard on Thanksgiving. Trust me, it's easier than it seems!
Read more ¿Qué más? 5 Easy ways to lighten up Thanksgiving dinner
1. Choosing sweet potatoes isn't a solution: It's true that choosing sweet potatoes over white potatoes is better since they have more fiber, more Vitamins A and C. But you know what's going to throw your healthier chose out the window? Covering them in sugar or butter! Instead, keep it diet-friendly by chopping and roasting your sweet potatoes with some other veggies, like carrots, parsnips and Brussels sprouts.2
2. Canned pumpkin is fine to use: To be honest, I was really surprised to find out that, when it comes to pumpkin, canned is actually not worse than fresh pumpkin. You see, canned pumpkin is more concentrated than fresh, which means it has 2-3 times more fiber and vitamin A than the canned variety. So when you're making that delicious pumpkin pie to celebrate Thanksgiving, don't feel guilty if you have to use canned–in fact, you may actually be doing better for your health!
3. Dark meat turkey isn't actually evil: Technically, white meat turkey without skin is a healthier option than dark meat (since it only has 158 calories and 0.5g of saturated fats per 4 oz. serving) but dark meat turkey isn't actually that much worse (at 183 calories and 1.6g of saturated fat per serving). Plus, it's still healthier than red meat and it contains more zinc and iron than white, so don't feel too bad if you have some–without the skin, that is.
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4. You can have more than red wine: Guess what's the best news ever? Although red wine is the golden standard when it comes to heart-healthy drinks, white wine and liquor have also been associated with a lower risk of heart disease. That's right, a tequila shot can actually save your life–so don't be afraid to have more than just red wine (as long as you don't have cocktails since the added sugar will hurt you more.)
5. Multigrain rolls aren't a weight loss aid: I'm a big fan of bread but these days I try to choose non-white bread to keep my weight down. However, the popular "multigrain" rolls that I see in every store around this time of year aren't actually healthier than regular white bread rolls. Instead, opt for rolls what say "whole grain" or "whole wheat"–but not "made with whole grain" since that can still mean refined grains.
6. Yes, one meal really CAN kill you: I hate to break it to you because I'm definitely a big believer in a little bit of indulgence not being the worst thing on the planet, but research has actually linked a single high-fat meal to impaired vascular function. So, I hate to break it to you, but your heart health can depend on overindulging today. Instead, indulge a bit–but use our other easy ways to lighten up Thanksgiving dinner to keep it within moderation.
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