Holiday eating tips for Thanksgiving : says expert

With the holiday season kicking off this week, experts are reminding people that there is a healthy way to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast.

Gloria Bent, a registered dietitian, says that along with using fresh and natural ingredients, dieters should avoid the skin of the turkey. She says that staying away from too many side dishes and sticking to vegetables is key to maintaining a healthy meal.

• Don’t skip favorite foods. Just choose smaller portions and eat more slowly to savor every bite.
• Find time for a family walk. It relieves stress and burns calories.
• Choose dark chocolate candies for a sweet treat; nuts and fruit covered with dark chocolate are even better.

• Make a swap: Skip everyday foods to enjoy holiday “special” foods.
• Have a plan for eating so that you control the eating, not the other way around.
• Plan, plan, plan. And if the plan fails, get right back on track. One slip is not a pattern.
• Forget making promises to make up for overeating with exercise later. If you want to eat

those holiday treats, you can monitor portions and schedule that walk.