Planning Your Thanksgiving Feast

Thanksgiving is four days away and it's time to plan. Eating more calories than we should at the Thanksgiving dinner has less to do with the turkey and more to do with the side dishes. So many of them are heavy with fats and sugar that just a serving of each favorite thing can really add up.

While there is nothing wrong with one day of indulgence, it helps to develop healthy habits if we learn moderation at that festive meal. We can also find ways to cut the calories on favorite dishes, or serve alternatives that are just as delicious. Turkey is a lean protein and can be the healthy centerpiece of the Thanksgiving feast as long as we don't smother it with high calorie side dishes.

Having a clear plan of action can smooth the way for an enjoyable, healthy holiday. Aside from roasting the turkey, we need to have a repertoire of great side dishes that won't break the caloric bank and will blend tradition with nutrition. From the stuffing to the cranberry sauce, a little creativity can improve the nutritional and caloric profile of our trimmings.

If the family will be deeply disappointed if you don't serve grandma's marshmallow-topped candied sweet potatoes, go ahead and make it. But do also fix an alternative to those who are watching their sugar intake. The same goes for any dish that would raise a protest if it were absent from the table.

This may sound like more work, but if you choose recipes that can be made in advance and reheated in the microwave or served cold, it doesn't have to be. You can also plan for a few sides that can go from the refrigerator to the table. For example, green beans or asparagus vinaigrette is delicious and easy to prepare. Another choice is a light, colorful vegetable slaw. Skip the mayonnaise on this one and dress it lightly with a little vinaigrette. Making it the day before and allowing the flavors and juices to develop in the refrigerator makes heavy dressing unnecessary.

Some preparation tips:

•Carefully plan the timing of each dish so that you aren't short of oven space.
•Assign someone to clean up as you work. Washing pots and bowls as soon as they are no longer needed prevents that big pile up near the sink.
•Set out the serving dishes and utensils so you don't have a last minute scramble looking for the gravy ladle.
•Set the table well in advance. Even children can be taught to do this nicely.