When planning your Thanksgiving Day meal (and all the leftovers), try this:

Talk turkey.

Turkey is a great source of lean protein. It’s
healthiest if you skip the skin and just eat the white
meat. If you prefer the dark meat, mix and match to
get a little extra flavor without adding too much fat.

Be sweet on sweet potatoes.

Sweet potatoes are a source of vitamin A, vitamin C,
potassium and fiber. They can make a tasty side dish
or dessert. A healthy way to prepare them is to cut
them in half, sprinkle them with orange juice and a
little brown sugar, and pop them into the oven.

Kick the canned cranberry.

Cranberries are packed with antioxidants that can
help keep you healthy. Unfortunately, canned
cranberry sauce is also often packed with sugar and
calories you don’t need. Try making your own by
mashing fresh cranberries with a generous splash of
balsamic vinegar or apple juice concentrate.

Pick a pumpkin.

Pumpkin is low in fat, low in calories, and loaded with
potassium, vitamin A and vitamin C. Make pumpkin
pies with canned, evaporated fat-free milk, half the
amount of sugar in the recipe, a graham cracker
crust, and light or fat-free whipped topping for a
light and tasty dessert.

Stuff with more veggies and less bread.

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. Try using whole-wheat bread to
make it an even healthier option.

Go fruity!

Baked apples and poached pears are perfect, light
ways to end any autumn meal.

Avoid greasy gravy.

Use a fat separator or refrigerate the pan juices and
skim the fat off before making the gravy. This can
cut out a significant amount of fat.

Sacrifice fat, not flavor.

Use low-fat buttermilk or low-sodium chicken stock in
place of cream or whole milk in dishes like mashed
potatoes, whipped sweet potatoes or butternut
squash. You’ll get a creamy consistency and loads of
flavor, minus the unnecessary fat and calories.

Steam and mash.

Try sneaking in more low-calorie vegetables by
mashing or pureeing steamed or boiled cauliflower
with low-fat milk. It’s a flavorful substitute for
mashed potatoes and can help balance an otherwise
potato-rich meal!

Veg out.

Fall veggies such as squash and green beans are
great side dishes that add color and variety to a
meal without adding too many extra calories.
More top tips to stay healthy over the holidays…

Take your time.

Slow down, savor your food, and enjoy your family
and friends. Give yourself a chance to feel full and
satisfied.

Go with a smaller serving.

Start out with a smaller serving than you think you’ll
need, and take a little time before you go back for
seconds. It sounds too simple to work, but putting
less on your plate really can help you eat less.

Don’t skip meals before the big meal.

Have a light breakfast and/or lunch to avoid feeling
ravenous at Thanksgiving dinner. If you’re really
hungry when you sit down, you’ll want to eat
whatever is available. With all those holiday treats
around, resisting will be just that much harder.

Bring a dish.

If you’re spending the holiday at the home of a friend
or family member, bring a healthy low-fat dish to
share.

Get moving!

Before dinner, round up the family for a game of
touch football, go for a long walk, build a snowman -
anything that gets the heart-pumping!

Mall walk.

If you visit a mall to shop during the holiday sales,
park far away and walk up the stairs instead of
taking the escalators.

Drink lots of water.

It helps fill you up and has health benefits.