Turkey or ham? How to make healthy food choices and still enjoy Thanksgiving dinner

Nov 21 , 2018

A traditional Thanksgiving dinner is full of delicious food – and also lots of calories – but there are ways to enjoy your favourite dishes without putting on weight.

With Thanksgiving coming on Thursday, followed by Christmas and new year’s celebrations, how can you survive without adding inches to your waistline?

With the holiday of Thanksgiving on Thursday – and the Christmas fast approaching – you have probably noticed that your calendar is filling up quickly with gatherings with family, friends and colleagues.

Often, lots of food is served at these gatherings, which may start you to wonder: “How can I keep my waistline in check without needing to make new year’s resolutions that I might not keep?”

First of all, there is nothing wrong with indulging in a little more than you normally eat, especially during the holiday season.

Yet how can you maximise your dining experience to the fullest without feeling the guilt?

Turkey: with or without the skin?

A 75-gram portion of turkey breast with the skin has 122 calories and 3 grams of fat

The traditional Thanksgiving holiday meal would not be the same without the turkey.

A 75-gram (2.6 ounce) portion of turkey breast with the skin has 122 calories and 3 grams of fat, while the same portion without the skin has 112 calories and 1.7 grams of fat.

While the difference between the two is minimal, keep in mind that you are likely to have more than one portion of turkey.

If you are keeping a close eye on your caloric and fat intake, you may consider not eating the skin.