If there is one holiday that strikes fear for your pant’s button, it is Thanksgiving. Don’t get me wrong, Thanksgiving may be one of the best days in the year: The Macy’s Parade, preparing the meal, driving to your relatives and reminiscing about Thanksgiving’s in the past, saying what we’re thankful for at the dinner table, watching football, movies, and of course, eating, eating and eating.

In order to have a healthy Thanksgiving (yes, indeed you can) let’s look at the key players that make up the traditional meal, their health benefits, and recipes that will minimize the bulge and maximize your energy level for Black Friday.

Turkey

Besides being the center of attention on Thanksgiving, turkey has increasingly become a popular protein choice and here’s why:

Ø Turkey is a great source of selenium, niacin, vitamin B6, and tryptophan, which makes you “sleepy,” but is actually an important amino acid.

Ø Turkey that is light and skinless has less saturated fat and less cholesterol than chicken or beef

Ø The tryptophan that is located in turkey is needed for T cells, which is a cell located in our immune system that has been known to kill cancer cells.

Ø For males, the protein from organic turkeys actually helps maintain optimal testosterone levels.

Sweet Potatoes

Heralded as a superfood, the sweet potato actually comes in four hundred varieties, with its flesh varying from white to yellow to orange. Below are some of the reasons to include sweet potatoes into your dietary regiment:

Ø Sweet potatoes contain Vitamin A (beta-carotene) and Vitamin C. Each of these vitamins are antioxidants that remove free radicals that damage cells.

Ø Has high fiber content, which aids digestion and constipation.

Ø Sweet potatoes are beneficial for diabetics since they stabilize blood sugar levels.

Cranberries

In order to get the maximum health benefits from cranberries, DO NOT buy candied cranberries, or cranberry juice, since they are loaded with sugar. Instead, make your cranberry sauce from scratch, or even eat them raw. Another superfood, these are some of cranberry’s benefits:

Ø Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins that help stop bad bacteria from attaching to the wall in your urinary tract, also limiting their ability to produce and spread infection.

Ø Cranberries also contain flavonoids, which helps prevent atherosclerosis, or what many would say, “hardening of the arteries.” The flavonoids also help to balance your cholesterol levels.

Ø Lastly, cranberries help control the amount plaque producing bacteria in your mouth, which should put a smile on anybody’s face.

Other healthy alternatives to try this Thanksgiving would be:

Ø Gluten-Free Stuffing
Ø Gluten-Free Gravy
Ø Gluten-Free Pie crust

Click Here for Thanksgiving recipes that have been tried and perfected in the DeMaria household.

In order to have a love-love relationship during the holiday’s with your pant’s button, Dr. Bob’s Weight Loss & Energy Formula contains herbs that will help you in both areas. They also make great stocking stuffers for family members who do not have a love-love relationship with their clothes.

Tis the season, and every season, to stay away from trans-fats, and “Dr. Bob’s Trans-Fat Survival Guide,” is a perfect read to educated you on what trans-fat is, how to be label savvy, and alternatives that you can use. Endorsed by Jordan Rubin of the Maker’s Diet, this is a must read!

Do you have healthy Thanksgiving meal traditions? We’d love to hear them! Remember to find, friend, share, and follow me on your favorite social networks:

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Lastly, remember to take time and sincerely give thanks this season!

References:

http://foodfacts.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_health_benefits_of_cranberries
http://hubpages.com/hub/Health_Benefits_of_Sweet_Potato
http://www.elements4health.com/turkey-boosts-testosterone-enhances-mood-and-helps-with-sleep.html