Thanksgiving, for many, is the time of year to enjoy the foods that are part of family traditions and memories.
But the holiday season can also be a time people worry about weight gain.
To get professional tips on how to enjoy Thanksgiving while keeping up with a healthy eating regimen, we turned to Lisa Sasson, a New York University nutrition professor who's researched successful dieting strategies.
Here's her advice for making the healthiest — but still delicious — choices on Thanksgiving Day.
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Come hungry, but not starving.
It may seem like a good idea to save your appetite for the main event, but Sasson warned against showing up ravenous for Thanksgiving dinner. When you're that hungry, your willpower tends to disappear, and you're likely to eat whatever's in sight.
Instead, Sasson suggested, eat a satisfying snack before starting your Thanksgiving festivities. Nuts, yogurt, a salad with avocado, or eggs are all good options to consider during the morning before the meal.
Keep your appetizers light.
Instead of filling up on heavy appetizers, go for the lighter fare, such as fresh veggies, salads, chips and salsa, or a vegetable-based soup like butternut squash soup.
Make sure your plate is colorful and full of veggies.
A good rule for filling up your plate at any kind of buffet or large meal, Sasson said, is to go heavy on the vegetables. If you can, choose an array of fresh, grilled, or roasted vegetables like beets, carrots, Brussels sprouts, or cauliflower.
Turkey can also be a healthy part of the Thanksgiving meal, especially if you avoid the skin.
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