Thanksgiving Dinner Is Really Healthy

All over the country, people gather (or ideally not ) for a dinner of lean meat, lots of vegetables, and a moderate amount of sweets. In confirmation of our ability to generate guilt out of nothing, we then wonder if this dinner – this whole holiday – is “healthy.”

Answer: of course there is. First, you can be healthy even if you close your Thanksgiving dinner and eat nothing but whole pies. Indulgences happen, life goes on, and one meal just doesn’t have that much effect on your body . It doesn’t matter what you eat, the guilt about it is not only excessive but unnecessary.

But the most perplexing question of whether Thanksgiving dinner is “healthy” is that traditional food is a textbook example of healthy eating.

Turkey lean protein

I like to think of protein as the core of any food because our bodies need it to maintain and repair itself, and it cannot be replaced by any other nutrient. You can eat low-carb and high-fat or low-fat and high-carb, but there must be a good amount of protein somewhere.

Both turkey and tofurks are great examples of lean protein — lots of these essential amino acids and nothing else. Turkey breast is as lean as it gets: a deck-of-cards serving contains a whopping 30 grams of protein, just 161 calories, with little fat and no carbs.

Even if you choose dark meat and leave the skin without skin, that would be 27 grams of protein per 232 calories. In my opinion, this is a great nutrient profile that leaves a lot of room for carbs and other delicacies.

Vegetarian options vary, but this tofurka roast contains 34 grams of protein in a 290-calorie serving. (Most of the rest is carbohydrates, not fats.) Another good option that really isn’t unhealthy.

There are so many damn vegetables

Look around – do you have Brussels sprouts? Green bean? Peas? Corn? Sweet potato? Side dishes vary from tradition to tradition, but there are certainly vegetables on your table, right? There is a chance that even before the food is served, there is a plate of vegetables and gravy somewhere. And if not, then it could be easy.

Pouring everything over with marshmallow or creamy sauce may not be ideal, but the green beans in the casserole are still green beans, and they still have as much fiber and vitamins as anywhere else. Remember, eating healthy isn’t just about what you don’t eat. It can also be associated with getting good nutrients.

However, if you can’t find raw vegetables, bring a salad or just a cooked vegetable dish of your choice. This is an easy win.

You can control portions however you want

It’s entirely up to you. Eat more healthy foods and as little as possible that is not suitable for you.

How often can you eat half a pie and not worry about getting rid of the leftovers? Usually your treats can come in predefined sizes, but there’s a knife next to the Thanksgiving pie and you can eat as much or less as you like and the rest will just disappear.

On the other hand, do you want more? Does dessert make you happy? Eat a hell of a dessert. After all, sometimes it’s mentally great to relax. You don’t spoil your body or your diet, you just eat, and even if it’s a big lunch, you will still be fine in the big picture .