Thanksgiving Dinner is Good For You!
Should you feel guilty about Thanksgiving dinner? Not really, since many of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner foods pack a lot of nutrition…although maybe not as much if they’re swimming in gravy and butter. And it’s just once a year, so why not enjoy a nice meal with family and friends, while giving thanks for the many great things in our lives.
Here’s some of the nutrients you’re getting in your Thanksgiving dinner:
Turkey is a great source of lean protein, selenium, niacin, vitamin B6 and phosphorous, as well as tryptophan that is essential for appetite and mood regulation.Cranberries contain vitamin C, fiber, manganese and vitamin K and are known for their help in maintaining a healthy urinary tract.
Potatoes contain vitamin C, B6, copper, potassium, manganese, iron, protein and fiber- as well as a variety of antioxidants. Keep the skin on because that is where many of the nutrients are found.
Pecans contain vitamins A and E, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, potassium, several B vitamins and zinc. They also contain fiber and protein, and are a good source of heart healthy mono and polyunsaturated fats. Just keep your slice of pecan pie small, because there are about 500 calories in 1/8th or a 9-inch pie!
Pumpkin contains potassium, zinc, dietary fiber and is rich in the antioxidant beta-carotene, which is great for our eyesight and more.
Yams/Sweet potatoes: An 8-ounce sweet potato supplies a whopping 270 percent of your daily requirement for vitamin A. Yams offer only 1 percent. Both vegetables are good sources of vitamin C, vitamin B6, thiamine, pantothenic acid, copper, potassium and manganese.