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Happy Thanksgiving: 10 Ways to Enjoy Your Holiday Without Sacrificing Your Health (PHOTOS)

10 Ways To Enjoy Thanksgiving Without Sacrificing Your Health (PHOTOS)
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Former U.S. Assistant Surgeon General

Former U.S. Assistant Surgeon General
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Thanksgiving is a time for celebrating family, friends, and -- of course -- food. But as we reflect on the things that we are most thankful for this holiday season, don't forget the importance of good health. Although it may seem difficult to meet our diet and exercise goals during the holiday, there are some simple steps that can be taken to stay healthy while fully enjoying the festivities. Here are 10 tips to ensure a happy and healthy Thanksgiving for you and your loved ones.

Thanksgiving 2010: 10 Tips For A Healthy, Happy Thanksgiving Holiday
Give Thanks For This Wonderful Day(01 of10)
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Enjoy the positive atmosphere and love of friends and family. Social support is an important ingredient in a recipe for a healthy, happy life. (credit:Flickr: Spirit-Fire)
Eat Smart And Safe(02 of10)
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Take advantage of the healthy abundance -- the cornucopia -- that Thanksgiving brings to the table. Choosing lean turkey meat, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, broth-based soups, salads, and other foods with lots of water and fiber are both healthy choices and add to a feeling of fullness and satiety. Eating slowly, putting your fork down between bites, and savoring each bite is one of the best ways to enjoy your meal and feel satisfied with one plate full of food. Food safety is very important when you prepare your Thanksgiving meal. To reduce the risk of food-borne illness, safely thaw, prepare, cook, and stuff the turkey. To keep bacteria at bay, first thaw the frozen bird in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in a microwave oven. Thoroughly clean surfaces, utensils and your hands after touching raw poultry as bacteria can be transferred to other food. Make sure to cook the turkey at a temperature no lower than 325°F and to check the internal temperature of the meat and stuffing to ensure it reaches 165°F. Click here for more holiday food safety tips.
Be Active(03 of10)
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Create a calorie deficit by engaging in physical activity to burn off extra calories before you have your Thanksgiving meal. Participate in a community turkey trot race or family fun run/walk on Thanksgiving morning. (credit:Flickr: vastateparksstaff)
Eat Breakfast(04 of10)
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Think you need to save all your calories for the big meal? Think again! Eating a small meal in the morning can give you more control over your appetite. Start your day with a small but satisfying breakfast -- such as an egg with a slice of whole wheat toast, or a bowl of whole-grain cereal with skim milk -- so you won't be really hungry when you arrive at the holiday gathering. (credit:Flickr: katerha)
Lighten Up(05 of10)
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Whether you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner or bringing a few dishes to share, make your recipes healthier by reducing fat, sugar and calories. Use fat free chicken broth, reduce the use of oil and butter, consider sugar substitutes, and replace cream with fat free yogurt or sour cream in preparing mashed potatoes or casseroles.
Stay Hydrated(06 of10)
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Drinking a lot of water before and with your Thanksgiving meal will help you control your appetite and prevent excessive eating. Try to consume 1-2 liters of water in the hours preceding your holiday meal so you are not feeling famished when dinner begins. (credit:Flickr: respres)
Keep Portion Sizes Small(07 of10)
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Don't waste your calories on foods that you can have all year long. Fill your plate with small portions of holiday favorites that only come around once a year so you can enjoy special Thanksgiving treats. Survey the available choices and take reasonable-sized portions of the foods you are yearning for. Everything in moderation. One piece of pumpkin pie will not tip the scales!Try to resist the temptation to go back for second helpings and instead make each meal of the week a reasonably-sized and delicious with leftovers from the Thanksgiving meal.
Don't Drink And Drive(08 of10)
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Excessive alcohol consumption around the holidays not only packs a calorie punch but also can lead to dangerous driving. Have a glass of wine or a light wine spritzer with your meal: You will stay sober and safe as well as limit calories from alcohol intake.
Set Realistic Expectations(09 of10)
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The holidays are a time to focus on weight maintenance instead of weight loss. Don’t punish yourself by abstaining from the culinary celebration. (credit:Flickr: Omar Omar)
Give Thanks And Give Back(10 of10)
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More than 50 million Americans will struggle to put food on the table this Thanksgiving, so appreciate the day and also, consider making a donation to a local food bank or dedicating a day of service to those who are hungry this holiday season. Visit the Feeding America website to learn more about how you can contribute to preventing hunger in your community and our country. (credit:AP)

Rear Admiral Susan Blumenthal, M.D., M.P.A. (ret.) is the Director of the Health and Medicine Program at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress in Washington, D.C., a Clinical Professor at Georgetown and Tufts University Schools of Medicine, Chair of the Global Health Program at the Meridian International Center, and Senior Policy and Medical Advisor at amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research. Dr. Blumenthal served for more than 20 years in senior health leadership positions in the Federal government in the Administrations of four Presidents, including as Assistant Surgeon General of the United States, the first Deputy Assistant Secretary of Women's Health, as a White House Advisor on Health, and as Chief of the Behavioral Medicine and Basic Prevention Research Branch at the National Institutes of Health. She is the Public Health Editor of the Huffington Post. Admiral Blumenthal has received numerous awards including honorary doctorates and has been decorated with the highest medals of the US Public Health Service for her pioneering leadership and significant contributions to advancing health in the United States and worldwide. She is the recipient of the 2009 Health Leader of the Year Award from the Commissioned Officers Association and was recently named a 2010 Rock Star of Science.

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