THANKSGIVING: How do you choose???

When Thanksgiving comes around it may seem difficult to make healthy choices. I know that I usually just eat what I want on Thanksgiving because the day is all about family and enjoying time together. My Thanksgiving is split into two dinners: my family Thanksgiving 'lunch' followed by Thanksgiving 'dinner' with my boyfriend's family- SO MUCH FOOD. I usually try everything that is offered because honestly, I love all foods- my favorite being dessert (DUH). With that being said, you CAN be healthy on Thanksgiving but remember that that is NOT what is all about. SO I came up with an easy list of foods that lean on the 'healthier' side over others.  

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Apple Cider Vs. Sparkling Cider

WINNER: Apple Cider
Sparkling cider is usually sparkling apple juice, which doesn’t contain the same amount of fiber that unfiltered ciders do (the real stuff will be cloudy). Plus, the spices that make cider are so delicious, like cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, give you an antioxidant boost. Try a nice apple cider sangria with added fruit for more health benefits (and potentially a much needed buzz). 

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Dark Meat Vs. White Meat

WINNER: It’s a draw
White meat contains half the fat of drumsticks, thighs have fewer calories, but dark meat has more iron and zinc. Studies suggest that the taurine in dark meat may help with heart disease. Pros and cons to each. BUT whichever you decide to pick, just make sure to remove the skin. 

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Rolled Pie Crust Vs. Graham Cracker

​WINNER: Graham Cracker Pie Crust
Recipes for rolled piecrust typically call for a lot of butter and sometimes lard, so they are high in saturated fat, which is associated with high cholesterol. The American Heart Association's saturated fat recommendation is no more than 5-6% of your total daily calories. Graham cracker crusts are lower in fat and calories and they contain some extra fiber.

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Whole Cranberry Sauce Vs. Jellied

WINNER: Whole Cranberry Sauce
Cranberries are loaded with antioxidants and fiber. But the main ingredient in jellied cranberry sauce is juice, which is packed with sugar and strained of nutrients. Jellied sauce also tends to be higher in calories by volume. Even though the canned is so tempting when it just jiggles and slides out of the can into a dish...

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Biscuit Vs. Dinner Roll

WINNER: Dinner Rolls
Multigrain or whole-wheat rolls are your best bet, but even white rolls are a smarter choice than biscuits. Biscuits can be packed with more than twice the amount of fat and calories, and some contain a quarter of your daily sodium intake (that's why they are so yummy).
​**Side note because we are talking bread here, just because something is claimed to be 'gluten free' DOES NOT mean it is healthier (unless you have Celiac Disease, of course).

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