151. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Tue, Nov 21, 2006, 7:47 am PST

Since when did giving thanks mean gorging ourselves beyond the reasonable? That is a problem that carries into our daily lives. Sorry, I don't believe, regardless of the day to eat till I am sick. Moderation, or lack there of, is the key to a fat nation or a healthy one. So people, why not find a happy medium and not eat yourself sick. That and cut out the fast food. How on earth people eat that garbage is beyond me. Take responsibility for yourself and be real about what your daily intake is and the amount exercise you do. We develop diabetes, heart disease, and obsesity, not from a couple times a year but our daily intake. But not wanting to hear the bad side does not make it go away. Ignorance isn't bliss and the naysayers have a point as well. Enjoy but be real about what you are consuming and how much exercise is needed to burn it off. A longer walk the next day isn't going to do it.

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152. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Tue, Nov 21, 2006, 8:04 am PST

For all the negative posters. My 90 year old grandmother has been preparing holiday meals the same way for the last 70 years. According to her doctor she is healthier than most 50 year olds. Why? Moderation, common sense and exercise. She doesn't stuff herself full, she eats until she is SATISFIED. She uses (and always has) as little butter, salt and REFINED sugar as it takes to make the dish pleasing. Before and after dinner she is outside with the rest of the family taking a hike, playing games in the yard or dancing to festive music. She eats a very healthy diet and enjoys a very active lifestyle all the rest of the year. Focusing only on numbers (calories, grams of sugar and fat) does not make a healthy body. Balance makes a healthy body. If you balance moderation with smarter choices and occasional indulgences you will not only be healthier, but happier as well. That happiness can mean the difference between staying healthy and falling off the wagon, again. Having survived much tougher times than most of us will ever know Grandma thanks God for all his blessings, holiday food included. That is what the whole day is about, isn't it?

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153. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Tue, Nov 21, 2006, 8:13 am PST

After reading all the negatives I say, who cares. It's Thanksgiving. I agree with Angela. If you work all year at eating healthy, then why worry about one meal (or 2, I also eat 'bad' at Christmas). Its about family and sharing and simply enjoying the day. I can honestly and truly say that I have not once, in the last 4 years,even set foot in a McDs, BK, KFC or any other fast food joint, so I have NO qualms about eating a side dish of butter and sugar laden sweet potato casserole on Thanksgiving day and giving my sister many kudos on the good taste. And yes, there is good nutrition in these foods and there is fat and sugar and carbs. And I wouldn't trade that or that meal for all the sunflower seeds and tofu in the world.

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154. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Tue, Nov 21, 2006, 8:21 am PST

I agree that this article can give people the wrong message, that it is okay to eat their normal amounts of Pecan & Pumpkin Pie, Candied sweet potatoes (candided, hello?!?)sugar laden cranberry sauce and the like. I can appreciate that she points out the nutritional benefits of the dishes' namesakes. But what most Americans will take this article to mean, just as 'Angela_m' wrote, that it is okay, that one day won't make you fat. We live our lives (I am not excluded from this, eihter) like it is Thanksgiving every day, that every day is a special occasion. That is why we are becoming fatter as a nation every day. Americans need some good information, spelled out in black & white - that it would behoove all of us to cut back on the sugar, fat & calories and THEN it is okay to have VERY SMALL portions of these foods and to STOP when we feel satiated, not so full that we need to take a nap (you can't blame all of it on tryptophan). Joy, you have done many naive people a disservice, just as many other "nutritionists" have and will continue to do.

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155. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Tue, Nov 21, 2006, 8:36 am PST

Wow. Quite frankly, I'm in awe of the pessimists posting here with their "what about the fat, sugar, and sodium?" comments. We are all very aware that pie is not healthy, that 'candied' anything is probably full of sugar and calories, and that moderation is key. Facts like that are constantly mentioned in the media, particularly around the holidays. In fact, Joy says "But remember, you still have to be accountable for calories, fat, and sugar." Gee, look at that... a reminder that we all must be ACCOUNTABLE for ourselves and use some moderation. I'm sure it's a joy to be sitting around the table with all of you, being reminded that my grandmother's mashed potatoes are clogging my arteries, and that my slice of pumpkin pie is actually 1 1/2 servings, and that it's chock full of sugar.

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156. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Tue, Nov 21, 2006, 8:42 am PST

The way I see it,she is just letting us know what is good for us in these things,of course we all know that sugar and starches,etc. are bad,but hey if you diet every day the way I see it enjoy the food,all of it for that day. Then try out the benifits of all these good foods in your diet the rest of the year. Eat and be merry Thanksgiving Day and back to your routine the next day.

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157. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Tue, Nov 21, 2006, 10:07 am PST

The chestnuts are the only truly healthy choice of all the food items you've listed...and only because they're prepared the most naturally. Seriously, enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner but don't delude yourself into thinking it's healthy fare....because it is most certainly not.

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158. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Wed, Nov 22, 2006, 9:43 am PST

Oh lighten up people!! life is too short to be worried about the ingredients that are bad for you - focus on the GOOD!! Joy is right about all these foods - you are getting a lot of good things from eating these foods in spite of the "bad."

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159. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Wed, Nov 22, 2006, 1:28 pm PST

Joy: Thanks for putting out helpful suggestions to us about nutrition and health. Though most hardcore healthnuts find your information controversial and unhealthy, I think it is most realistic and something most people are willing to follow. Thanks for talking about real food people eat rather than just the sawdust essentials health nuts would like us to choke on a daily basis to to be healthy. You're advice is much appreciated. Have a happy thanksgiving Joy!

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160. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Wed, Nov 22, 2006, 8:59 pm PST

Thanks, You certainly made me feel better, I am starting a new, healthy lifestyle, but I will be enjoying my usual thanksgiving feast on tomorrow. And for all you people out there, take it easy on joy and yourselves and enjoy yourselves and have a happy turky-day

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161. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Nov 25, 2006, 7:21 pm PST

What could possibly be heathy about your program?

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162. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Nov 25, 2006, 11:12 pm PST

Two days ago you posted how to detox yourself after "damaging" yourself with a Thanksgiving dinner. Now it's healthy? Pick a side and go with it.

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163. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Mon, Dec 18, 2006, 9:06 pm PST

I would still like to know HOW TO ROAST CHESTNUTS?.

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164. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Dec 29, 2007, 10:24 am PST

Pumpkin - The great under rated snack! One cup in a small dish sprinkled with a small amount of splenda and a pinch of cinn. and perhaps a tbl. spoon of fat free can't believe it's not butter and you have a great healthy snack!!! :-)

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