It's that time of year again, Thanksgiving.
There is a way to make it a healthy holiday if we follow the advice of the experts. This week's "In Sickness and in Health", Kirk Matthews talks with Ruby Hayasaka, a nutritionist at Castle Medical Center who says that a Thanksgiving meal can be good for you.
"Thanksgiving is a holiday meal that I can really get excited about because - nutritionally that is - because all the basic foods that fit into a Thanksgiving meal, fit in the healthy category," Hayasaka says.
Really?? What about that turkey?
"Lean protein, high in iron, zinc, B vitamins - what could be better, right? And then, secondly, there's cranberries, especially if you use the fresh, whole cranberries," Hayasaka says.
Hayasaka is quick to emphasize that Thanksgiving dinner is more about the portions you put on your plate than about the kinds of food you eat.
"You're so right on," Hayasaka says. "Because it is true because you don't want to ruin family tradition because family traditions are really important and I know families that have special recipes that they bring out just at thanksgiving time and I think that one of the key things, like you said, portion sizes."
Often, Thanksgiving dinner is served earlier in the day. Hayasaka says it's wise to plan something active to do after the big meal.
"I think it's a good idea, too, when you're having really good food is to plan other activities," Hayasaka says. "Maybe a brisk walk, a hike, some type of physical activity and even some relational activities like in our family, we have a tradition where we talk about what is the happiest moment you've had."
All right, Hayasaka, we've had our dinner, we've had our activity, what's for dessert?
"Well I think it's really hard to beat pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving and thank goodness it's chock full nutrients - vitamin A, B vitamins a lot of other vitamins, vitamin C even," Hayasaka says.
That's all I needed to hear. Happy Thanksgiving.
