Tips from the American Heart Association
Contributions by Kyndra Clark & Kadian Williams, Oakwood University
These tips should provide you with some simple ways to make your big meal as healthy and delicious as possible.
For starters, start off small. The first thought that comes to mind concerning Thanksgiving is food. And lots of it! The biggest concern is not WHAT food you eat, but rather how MUCH food you eat. Starting small is a smart approach to eating just the right amount of food. You can enjoy a variety of favorite family recipes if you have small portions of high-calorie foods such as casseroles and desserts and fill up on lighter fare such as vegetables and fruit.
Let's talk turkey! Of course, we strongly suggest going meatless for the holidays! But here's a turkey tip for all you meat eaters: although turkey is a great source of lean protein, it is healthiest if you skip the skin, and eat only the white meat.
Be sweet on sweet potatoes! Sweet potatoes are a source of vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and fiber. A healthy way to prepare them is to cut them in half, sprinkle them with cinnamon, orange juice and a little brown sugar, and pop them into the oven. Or try going fruity! Baked apples and poached pears are perfect, light ways to end any autumn meal.
Pick a pumpkin! Try making a homemade pumpkin pie for dessert. This way you can control the amount of fat and sugar in your recipe.
Stuff with more veggies and less bread! Stuffing is an all time Thanksgiving favorite for most! Opt for less bread in your stuffing and add more onions, celery, vegetables or fruits such as dried cranberries or apples to make a lower calorie version of the old standby. Also try using whole wheat bread to make it an even healthier option. Please visit us on Facebook "Oakwood Nutrition and Dietetics Club " for Healthy Vegetarian Holiday Recipes.
Take a walk. According to one well-known study from California State University, Long Beach, a 10-minute walk increases energy for two hours.
Listen to music. If it's not too much of a distraction, listening to fast beat music can be a great way to keep awake.
Take a short nap (5-25 minutes). "If you can't nap, even resting quietly with your eyes closed for 10 minutes or so will help," says Allison T. Siebem, Ph.D., a fellow at the Stanford University Sleep Medicine Center in Redwood City, California.
Cold Water. Splash some on your face and the pulse area of your wrists. Drinking an ice-cold glass of water can also help to wake you up.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Wednesday, November 21st 2012 at 2:19PM
You can also
click
here to view all posts by this author...
