Your healthiest thanksgiving choices

Even though a typical Thanksgiving dinner can contain whopping 4,000 calories, you don’t have to let the holiday derail your intention to make healthier choices. In fact, your holiday table is likely full of good-for-you options—you just need to know which to fill up on. 

• Turkey
  It’s the star of the show, and it turns out that turkey breast is a good choice just about any day of the year. It’s a naturally lean source of protein, and it’s rich in the antioxidant selenium, which may help support the immune system—especially important this time of year. When it comes time to carve, skip the skin on your portion. A filling 4-ounce serving of boneless, skinless turkey breast is just 153 calories and has less than 1 gram of fat, but it packs more than 30 grams of hunger-satisfying protein.
• Cranberries
  These berries are a holiday staple, and they’re loaded with vitamin C, which may help support your immune system. Instead of the canned version, opt to make your own sauce so you can control the sugar content. One smart trick: reduce the amount of sugar by half and sweeten with ½ cup of orange juice instead. 
• Sweet potatoes
  These root vegetables are a great source of beta-carotene, and they’re one of the best ways to get vitamin A in your diet. Sweet potatoes are also high in fiber, which aids in digestion. Traditionally, sweet potatoes are topped off with brown sugar and marshmallows, but they’re just as tasty in their purest state. Try them baked and seasoned simply with a light drizzle of heart-healthy olive oil and sprinkle of salt.
• Green beans
  The humble green bean is a surprising superfood. High in vitamin K, and a good source of vitamin C, this snappy vegetable is also loaded with iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium, all of which support your body’s metabolism. Instead of burying your beans inside a casserole, let them be the star by sautéing them with a bit of olive oil and giving them a dose of protein by tossing them with crunchy slivered almonds.