Seven Ways to Cut Stress and Calories at Thanksgiving

From Thanksgiving to Christmas, increased stress and overeating are a part of life in our society. Due to increased stress levels, we are more likely to eat for emotional reasons. The smells in our homes, on Thanksgiving day, stir up childhood memories of happy times spent with family and friends. This can be a wonderful time of the year and with a few tips, we can manage both emotional needs and caloric intake.

Try a simpler yam recipe. Instead of the yam casserole with marshmallows, pineapple and all of the extra calories, try a baked yam this year. If you cannot do without the extra sweet, slice yams in a casserole dish. Add a little water and sprinkle with real maple syrup. They are sweet and delicious but less calories.Eggplant Casserole � with eggplant, onions, bread crumbs, and Parmesan cheese.Turkey Broccoli Casserole � with turkey, broccoli, onions, green peppers, rice, and cheddar cheese.Spinach Casserole � with spinach, milk, onions, cheese, and brown rice.Squash Casserole � with zucchini, cheese, carrots, sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, and herb stuffing.Nevertheless, all those traditional foods and dishes served on Thanksgiving Day already evolved and changed over a hundred years of history. More often, the turkey is the only thing in common with the modern Thanksgiving celebrations have with the harvest feasts celebrated by the Pilgrims. Some side dishes such as stuffing and green bean casserole have been the byproducts of the affluence of food supplies and of the modern times.Have an extra slice of turkey. Turkey is packed with nutrition and lower in calories than most other meats. Just don�t eat the skin. Instead of having one portion each of yams, potatoes and stuffing - have an extra slice of turkey. Allocate your yams, potatoes and stuffing so that together they equal one portion.

Follow as many of these tips as you like. If you choose only a few, you will be decreasing your caloric intake and stress. Balance the more traditional, higher calorie, dishes with some of the simpler, lower calorie, dishes. By choosing not to make every dish that your mother or grandmother used to make, you will be creating less stress for yourself. Involve the whole family in the decision making of what is to be served and the preparation of the meal. Reduce the calories and the stress. You will be thankful for it.

Author: Constance Weygandt