Be Thankful for Good Health

When you gather around the table with friends and relatives at Thanksgiving, give thanks for your good health. It is hard work to live a healthy life, but the rewards are great. Raise a glass and toast yourself.

If you are invited to a holiday dinner, don't go hungry. Eat a wholesome breakfast and lunch to avoid overeating at dinner time. Remember that the host is not serving an all-you-can-eat buffet. Fill half of your plate with vegetables, one quarter with a lean meat and the rest with a starch, such as potatoes, pasta, rice or dinner rolls. Choose a skinless piece of turkey that's about 4 ounces. Eat slowly and stop when you are full.

If you are making the holiday dinner, try these healthier substitutions in your recipes:
• Two egg whites instead of one whole egg
• Low-fat plain yogurt or sour cream instead of regular sour cream
• Frozen yogurt instead of ice cream

This website has other tips for holiday eating and cooking.

The holidays can bring on stress in the kitchen. Don't try to make every traditional dish. Instead of making both sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes, prepare just one dish. And rather than roast a whole turkey, buy just the legs and breasts. You can ask your guests to bring a side dish or dessert.

Although everyone focuses on the food, don't forget to balance your eating with exercise. Make time to walk, jog, ride a bike or swim. In fact, it helps to schedule time. That way you'll get in your work out. Invite your friends or relatives and make exercising a group activity. A 30-minute walk in the morning and another walk after dinner could help you avoid holiday weight gain. If you are traveling, ask your health club about reciprocal work-out privileges at out-of-town facilities.

You'll enjoy the holidays more by being smart about eating and exercising. That's a healthy combination for any time of year.