CHICAGO - Warm, rich meals and cool, fall air go hand-in-hand, especially with Thanksgiving fast approaching. The American Medical Association (AMA) has tips to help lighten up traditional Thanksgiving and winter comfort dishes, so they can be enjoyed with less waistline expansion.
"Thanksgiving is the gateway to the holiday season, when many people ingest lots of calories in food and beverages and don't get enough physical activity to burn those extra calories," said J. James Rohack, M.D., AMA president-elect. "By making a plan early to maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout the season, you can enjoy yourself without having to pay for it in the new year."
Here are some healthful tips for holiday cooking:
- Use fat-free and low-sodium broths in soups and stews.
- Replace the sour cream in dips with low-fat or nonfat sour cream or yogurt.
- Add a green vegetable to every meal, like broccoli in your omelet, spinach on your sandwich and green beans on your dinner plate. It's a great way to sneak extra vitamins into your diet.
"Thanksgiving isn't usually a calorie-conscious holiday, but by swapping out a few ingredients with healthier alternatives, you can really help reduce calorie and fat intake while keeping great flavor," said Dr. Rohack.
