The Thanksgiving Conundrum

As we sit down around the Thanksgiving table with family and/or friends many healthy people worry about the Thanksgiving day meal. There is a delicate balance between being true to yourself and just being that person. Vegetarians aside, turkey is a fine base for a meal. It is illegal to give turkey's hormones or steroids so picking a turkey is fairly easy. If you wish your turkey to be antibiotic free 'USDA Organic' or 'Antibiotic Free' is what you should look for on the label. Turkey's labeled basted or self basted can contain hydrogenated oils such as soy or corn so avoid these turkeys. Sweet Potato's are a stable of most of our diets so asking for a plain SP is not a huge deal. At my house there are always plenty of vegetables on the table. Meat, starch, veggies - so far a very balanced meal without having to cause a fuss. What about stuffing, gravy, more stuffing and mashed potato's with a gravy volcano? Assuming you have no dietary restriction or issues (e.g. celiac) be honest about your goal's and where you are in regards to eating. I love stuffing and eat it once a year. I love gravy and it is another few time a year food. One meal on one day is not going to increase your waist line or damage your performance. Truthfully I like what Miranda Oldroyd said today over on www.nccflab.com "…the Pilgrims did not sail their asses all the way over here so you could celebrate by counting your almonds and weighing your turkey. Enjoy the day. We train hard, it’s important to relax mentally sometimes just as much as it is physical." Happy Thanksgiving! --rich