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Pass the Turkey

Tips for Eating Smart Without Overindulging on Thanksgiving

By Renee Roberson

"Eat less of everything," Crane says. "Portion control helps you maintain a balance and not feel deprived."

"I plan to start off with a small salad and focus on the turkey and fresh veggies," says expectant mother Amanda Craddock of China Grove, N.C. "I plan to avoid or have only small portions of dressing, breads and potatoes. Two other items I plan to avoid are punch and gravy. Usually at holiday dinners there is such a huge spread of food, and everyone is so focused on their own plates, that you can avoid the dishes high in fat and calories without hurting anyone's feelings," says Craddock, who adds that she also hopes to take a long walk after the meal.

Send leftovers home with guests so you aren't snacking on unhealthy leftovers for two weeks after Thanksgiving. The old adage that pregnant women should "eat for two" is a myth. During pregnancy a woman's body needs 200 to 300 extra calories, which is equivalent to a mini-snack. The first trimester specifically is not typically the time for weight gain, says Saks, who adds that excessive weight gain during pregnancy can cause gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia.

Consider taking leftover desserts to your work, or your husband's. That way even if you do splurge more than you intended on Thanksgiving, you can chalk it up to one day of indulgence. That is, until the next holiday.

Apple Crisp Think beyond the pumpkin pie this year. This delicious crisp is loaded with healthy apples and oats. 5 cups apples, diced 1 teaspoon cinnamon 2 tablespoons flour 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup margarine 1/2 cup oats 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup flour (all-purpose or wheat, depending on your preference) Combine the cinnamon, sugar and flour. Toss diced apples in this mixture until well coated. For the topping, combine flour, brown sugar, oats and margarine until well blended. Pour apple mixture into 9-inch glass pie plate. Spoon topping over apple mixture. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes or until brown and bubbly. This dessert also freezes beautifully once completely cooled. To fill a 9 x13-inch glass pie pan, just double the recipe and topping.

Want to see more?

• Turkey Day Stress: Surviving Thanksgiving While Pregnant
• Two of Everything, Please: Debunking the Myth
  of Eating for Two
• Too Many Chefs: Help Mom at Thanksgiving by Entertaining the Kids
• Check out our Article Library.
• Talk about it!

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