Ignore the calories on T-day

Posted to MOVE Food by Krissy Tripp at 11:17 a.m., Nov. 25, 2010

Contrary to what many department stores would have us believe, it’s not time for the gift giving holidays. We still have Thanksgiving -- and Thanksgiving dinner -- before it’s time to begin other holiday rituals such as candle lighting or tree decorating.

For many of us, this break will be the best dinner we have all semester -- either because we’ve been eating Campus Dining Services food, or because we now have to buy and cook our own meals. Thanksgiving gives everyone except the religious calorie counters something to look forward to.

If you think you’re going to be ok just skipping dessert, you’re wrong. A slice of pumpkin pie is about 310 calories, according to Esquire. The slice of turkey, slathered in gravy is approximately 340 calories. That serving of marshmallow covered sweet potatoes? More than 300 calories, but whatever, sweet potatoes are still good for you right?

If you’re looking to make Thanksgiving dinner a little healthier, try a few of these options. Skip the gravy slathering. You probably spiced up your potatoes with garlic, salt or butter, and if you really like turkey meat, you don’t need the gravy. Eating the white portion of the meat is also better for you than the dark part.

Skipping the marshmallows on the sweet potatoes is another obvious choice for calorie counters, as is eating cranberries without covering them in sugar.

Of course, the after-dinner football game and Black Friday shopping is sure to burn off a few calories, so feel free to ignore dieting rules and promise yourself you’ll do better tomorrow.