Tips for a healthy Thanksgiving: moderation and cranberries

Thanksgiving -- a North American holiday usually associated with overeating, weight gain and general indulgence -- could also provide an opportunity for healthful eating and even warding off infections.

(Relaxnews) -

Thanksgiving - a North American holiday usually associated with overeating, weight gain and general indulgence - could also provide an opportunity for healthful eating and even warding off infections.

For example, eating cranberries, a Thanksgiving mainstay, could help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs), health experts have long said. Widely acknowledged as powerful antioxidants, cranberries also have been shown to have strong antibacterial properties and help prevent bacteria from forming in the bladder.

And passing up seconds and skipping desert could also lower the risk of developing UTIs, according to new research. A study presented last April at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA) found that having a higher body mass index or being obese could increase the chances of being diagnosed with a UTI.

Meanwhile, tips for a healthy Thanksgiving include :

- slowing down and savoring the flavor: eating fast means eating more food; one should think twice before having seconds or wait at least 15 minutes to decide.
- choosing whole grain breads.
- eating a lot of green vegetables; staying away from sweet potato dishes laced with marshmallow or other high-fat, creamy casseroles.
- drinking a lot of water
- eating white turkey meat and not the skin; going light on the gravy.
- having a low-fat dessert.
- eating cranberries - they've also been shown to lower bad cholesterol, reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, protect against some cancers and prevent dental cavities.

http://www.cranberryinstitute.org/healthresearch.htm