Tag Archives: thanksgiving

Turkey Not to Blame for Your Thanksgiving Naps

In the last two weeks, I’ve had about a million people ask me if turkey can make you tired. Let me tell you, all at once, that turkey dinners have received an unwarranted reputation. It’s true that turkey contains an amino acid by the name of tryptophan. It’s also true that tryptophan is known for inducing sleep. Logically, one could come to the conclusion that turkey’s tryptophan makes you tired after Thanksgiving dinner. Scientifically, your post-feast fatigue is more likely derived from different sources.

In order to induce sleep, large amounts of tryptophan must reach the body’s neuro-center, the brain. To accomplish this, the tryptophan must be taken on an empty stomach. When consumed as part of a meal (like your Thanksgiving feast) tryptophan simply cannot produce sleep-inducing effects. According to National Geographic News, “Turkey isn’t even unusually high in tryptophan. Many foods, such as beef or soybeans, boast higher concentrations.” Given the facts, it’s still impossible to ignore the after-dinner burnout that Americans face on Thanksgiving Day. (more…)

Posted on November 10, 2023 by Theresa

Your Thanksgiving Day Survival Guide

We all like to think of the holidays as everyone’s favorite time of year, where families get together over delicious food to share stories and make memories. In actuality, while the holidays are a great time, if everyone is being honest, the holidays are full of chaos, stress, over-eating and the occasional screaming match between over-involved loved ones.

Yes, we all do enjoy the holidays, and Thanksgiving is the kick-off holiday function for the months of more holidays to come. One of the biggest stressors of the holiday season? Food and weight gain. The solution? The best offense is a good defense- a plan to keep those creepy calories at bay. Thanksgiving is, in a sense, an entire holiday based around one gigantic meal, but with a well-laid plan in place, you’ll be able to make it through Turkey Day without your elastic pants. (more…)

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Kelly

Chef Rocco’s Serving Healthier Thanksgiving Recipes in Now Eat This

With the calendar page flipped to November we can finally start thinking about the holidays. First up, Thanksgiving. For many this marks the start of a turbulent time of year when thinking about weight and calories overshadows the meaning of the season. To get a head start on thinking about making this a healthier time of year, Chef Rocco Dispirito, the author of several cookbooks including this year’s Now Eat This, shares with us some of his insights into surviving and thriving during Thanksgiving.

He’s also sharing a few recipes from Now Eat This that you can prepare for your Thanksgiving spread, as a healthier alternative or addition.

First, Rocco answered a few of our questions.

Since your weight loss, and publishing Now Eat This, how has Thanksgiving changed for your family?
My family insists on a traditional Thanksgiving. Any time I’ve tried to make a change it’s met with a glare! So no big changes lately. I think you have to give yourself a break every once in a while and Thanksgiving is the perfect day to do that. (more…)

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Natalie K

Healthy Recipes for a Perfect Thanksgiving Feast

You might be a great cook but if you serve the same Thanksgiving fare year after year, your guests are bound to start going home hungry.

Whether you’re preparing a meal from start to finish in your own kitchen or toting a side dish and dessert to a nearby gathering, it’s easy to refresh your favorite classic dishes without piling on fat and calories.

Cheese Ball
It’s tempting to snack on rich cheeses and sodium-packed crackers while you’re waiting for the turkey to finish cooking. This year, skip the mindless snacking by presenting your guests with a cheese ball flavored with herbs and spices so tasty you’ll never know that you’re eating reduced-fat cheese. (more…)

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Maris

Fall Veggies for Your Healthy Thanksgiving Table

We all know of Thanksgiving as a day of gluttony. I mean, a day of giving thanks for the people we love. Yes, that’s it. But in between bouts of gratitude, there is usually a large, figure-unfriendly meal involved with the national holiday.

Thanksgiving also kicks off the winter holiday season, which can be a season of sweets, treats and indulgences. To keep yourself from ditching your diet plan on Day 1 of the holiday season, make sure there are plenty of vegetables to go around on your Thanksgiving table.

Brussels Sprouts: The tiny green orbs might have a reputation for being less than favorable, but they also deliver a sweet, nutty flavor that is hard not to like. Shred the fiber-rich veggies into a salad with apples and raisins – the sweet fruit elicits the natural flavor of the sprouts. Toss them in your favorite vinaigrette and you have one side dish ready to go without even using the oven. (more…)

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Maris

Carla Triplett’s Back on the Wagon at Biggest Loser Resort

This week we caught up with Carla Triplett, a contestant from Biggest Loser‘s season 7, during her stay at Biggest Loser Resort in Utah. When her season started just shy of two years ago, Carla weighed in as the heaviest woman in the show’s history at 379 pounds. By finale, she had lost a total of 128 pounds, most of that was on her own due to some unfortunate game play that didn’t give her too much time at the ranch.

Today, Carla is still working hard to live her fitter, healthier life, but admits to us that “I fell off the wagon.” While she has never stopped her daily workout regimen, a busy schedule has put her in a position where she finds herself relying on more fast-food than she’d like. While anyone can fall off the wagon, she says you can always get back up… and she’s right! Carla credits her fitness regimen with helping her maintain her weight, not gain, and says that the time at Biggest Loser Resort is helping her to get back on track with the food.

Watch our interview with Carla now as she talks about maximizing the benefits of Biggest Loser Resort, how she plans to make a healthier Thanksgiving this year, and her approach to loving yourself and your body.

(more…)

Posted on October 27, 2023 by Natalie K

Last Minute Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes and Tips

turkeyDid you wake up and realize today’s Thanksgiving? If you promised to bring something with you or feel like the spread could use one more dish, make your last-ditch recipe effort a healthy one with some of these picks from DietsInReview.com.

They’re sure to please a crowd, plus it might be the most guilt-free thing on your plate!

Posted on November 26, 2023 by Natalie K

Snack Smart to Keep Energy High Before Thanksgiving Day

thanksgiving stressI can almost hear the hustle and bustle that’s the hallmark of the holiday season. If you are entertaining this Thanksgiving, you may be stressing about finding that perfect local, organic, free-range turkey who got a hug before he met his demise or you may be worrying about how to keep Aunt Edna out of the kitchen so she doesn’t make that disgusting “sweet potato casserole” with marshmallows in the microwave.

Whatever your holiday deal, you will be busy and when you’re busy you might forget the important things, like say…. oh…. eating! Never fear, your diet diva is here. Read on to find out some of the best high energy snacks you can grab in a pinch. (more…)

Posted on November 24, 2023 by Rebecca

Prevent Holiday Weight Gain & Avoid Mindless Eating

international food council logoDietsInReview.com had an opportunity to take part in a webcast organized by the International Food Information Council Foundation and hosted Brian Wansink Ph.D, Director of the Cornell Food and Brand Lab and bestselling author of the eye-opening book, Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More than We Think.

In 2024, the International Food Information Council Foundation conducted the fourth annual, Food & Health Survey, a analysis of Americans’ attitudes towards food, nutrition and health. Before Dr. Wansink presented us his sage advice for how to navigate our way through the food-filled holidays, he discussed a few of his key findings from the 2024 survey. Below are the most salient highlights: (more…)

Posted on November 20, 2023 by heather

Is Your Thanksgiving Buffet too Complex?

Most people overeat at Thanksgiving, it’s a matter of fact. According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the average “Turkey Day” plate is 3,000 calories. That’s not counting “seconds” or any snacks people have before the big meal. One way to cut back on the calorie damage is to make healthier versions of your favorites. (Do you really need four sticks of butter in that stuffing?) One of my personal faves is making an apple pie with 1/2 cup of fresh cranberries and instead of a high fat top crust, use thinly sliced apples that get crispy with baking.thanksgiving dinner

But could there be something else going on that has nothing to do with how the food is prepared or the portion size you choose? Heck yeah. Is your diet diva going to tell you? Absolutely.

It’s called food “complexity” and “taste satiety.” Basically, you overeat at Thanksgiving because you are eating mindlessly. You’re not taking the time to intentionally slow down, serve yourself a small amount of food, and enjoy and savor each bite. If you did this, you’d get full well before you hit the 1,500 calorie mark, maybe even before hitting 1,000 calories. (more…)

Posted on November 19, 2023 by Rebecca

Four Ways to Celebrate with Thanks Instead of Turkey

thanksgivingJust a little football and family are enough to make any day a holiday for me, but Thanksgiving seems to be defined by turkey, casseroles, carbs, sugar, and overindulgence. We teach our children that the first Thanksgiving was a feast shared by the Pilgrims and the Natives in celebration of the bountiful harvest that followed a harsh winter. It may have partially been intended to build up stores of fat to help survive the approaching winter.

As modern day Americans, we do not have to be concerned about weather conditions making food unavailable. We have 24-hour grocery stores and shelves stocked with options. We can be thankful for this every day. As a result, our Thanksgiving celebrations can be more than feasts. This is particularly dangerous for those who are trying to alter their approach to food.

While overeating can make one sluggish, disappointed in one’s self, and unhappy with appearance, giving thanks will help you focus on the positive things in life and improve outlook and mood. This year, instead of recognizing the day by raising your fork, try one (or all) of these tips. (more…)

Posted on November 19, 2023 by Brooke Randolph