The Health Foods of Thanksgiving

by Meri Raffetto RD, LDN

Yes. Some of our thanksgiving fair is actually good for us. A matter of fact, many of our thanksgiving favorites are super foods that provide great health benefits.

Sweet Potatoes:

One serving of this holiday favorite provides over 8,800 IU of vitamin A (twice the daily allowance), 42% of the RDA for vitamin C, 6% of the RDA for Calcium, and 10% of the RDA for iron. Sweet potatoes contain powerful antioxidants and recent research shows that they also stabilize blood sugar which is great news for diabetics and people trying to manage their weight. For the best health value, choose sweet potatoes of a deep orange color. Be sure to store your sweet potatoes in a dry un-refrigerated bin kept at 55-60 degrees F. Do not refrigerate because temperatures below 55 degrees F. can give them a hard core and undesirable taste when cooked.

Cranberries:

Cranberries have been valued for their ability to prevent and treat urinary tract infections for hundreds of years. Recent studies now suggest that this Native American berry may also help to lower bad cholesterol, and raise good cholesterol, help prevent certain cancers, and promote gastrointestinal and oral health. Pretty good for a little berry! Choose fresh, plump cranberries with a deep red color. Make sure they are firm to touch. Fresh, then dried cranberries retain the most antioxidants. Fresh cranberries can be stored in the refrigerator for several months and frozen may be kept for several years. Enjoy some cranberry sauce with your thanksgiving turkey!

Turkey:

Turkey is an excellent source of lean protein but what you may not know is that turkey is also high in selenium providing about 47% of the recommended daily value. Selenium protects us from free-radical cell damage, and helps to lower risk of joint inflammation. Turkey is also high in Vitamin B-6 and niacin promoting heart health. Last but not least, turkey provides tryptophan, a precursor for serotonin, helping to regulate appetite, sleep patterns, and mood. When purchasing turkeys; look for those that have a solid shape, and a rounded breast. If the turkey has skin on it, it should be white in color and unblemished. You can keep raw turkey for one to two days in the refrigerator and cooked turkey for about four days.

reviewed/updated: 12/05

created: 11/05

Source: The World's Healthiest Foods- www.whfoods.com