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Ed Yeates Reports -
Turkey, mashed potatoes, sauces and desserts are all still traditional must-haves for the Thanksgiving feast. But, in an era when folks are eliminating trans fats, some of these traditional dishes are being prepared in more innovative and healthier ways.
For those who really think about the meal in a new way, Thanksgiving dinner becomes somewhat of a challenge.
The Mayo Clinic suggests roasting your turkey on a rack so that the fat drips away and is not reabsorbed into the meat. They also suggest cooking your stuffing separately in its own dish, and skimming the fat from the top of the turkey drippings or using a fat separator to make your gravy.
Dr. Thunder Jalili, Director of the Nutrition Sciences graduate program at the University of Utah College of Health, suggests "When you eat the turkey, just don't eat the skin because in poultry, much of the saturated fat and cholesterol is found in the skin." He went on to say that "you could also buy store bought gravies that are actually quite low in fat and have no trans fats."
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Other tips include skipping the butter for mashed potatoes using chicken broth or skim milk instead, using half the sugar in recipes for pies, and using skim milk or egg whites instead of whole eggs. Beet and apricot glazes are rich in antioxidants, while green beans have vitamin K which is good for the bones. Squash and sweet potatoes provide a good source of heart-protecting and cancer-fighting beta-carotene.
Rather than baking a traditional apple pie, Dr. jalili recommends slicing an apple and baking it in the oven with a little bit of brown sugar on top. This presents a "much healthier," tasty alternative.
According to Dr. Jalili, "The way to eat healthy is no mystery anymore. I think most everybody knows it. It's almost approaching common sense at this point."
Enjoy tomorrow's feast! That's what it's all about.