PDA

View Full Version : For those who are interested in planning a healthy Thanksgiving


Villages PL
11-24-2013, 01:25 PM
This is the "Medical and Health Discussion" board and yet the last thread got hijacked by those not interested in health. So I'm starting this thread for anyone who is genuinely interested in a discussion about health.

Thanksgiving is an interesting holiday. No one ever says they are thankful for being able to exercise restraint. Instead, we are usually thankful for the opportunity to be overly selfindulgent. Are we, as a nation, suffering from starvation? If not, why do we behave on Thanksgiving as though food is a novelty? Why is there such a big emphasis on high calorie comfort foods? Are we trying to fill a void?

If you look at the "bigger picture", it gets really strange: We are a nation suffering from an obesity epidemic and yet we celebrate all of our most important holidays with excessive amounts of high-calorie comfort-foods. (I know because I've been there, although I wasn't overweight.)

My plan, as usual, is to go out to dinner, with a good friend, on the day before Thanksgiving. Because it's not Thanksgiving, there's no pressure to overindulge. And the following day, Thanksgiving day, I'll be home eating regular meals as though it's just another day. It works for me and is one more thing to be thankful for. Notice I said that "it works for me" I'm not telling or "preaching" that you should do the same. Do whatever you want to do. We live in a free country, don't we?

Happy Thanksgiving, pooh, and everyone.

Any healthy suggestions on how to keep "compulsive high-calorie eating" under control are welcome. Thanks.

KathieI
11-24-2013, 01:33 PM
I agree with you VP, it is just another day. I have done the same as you for the past 30 years whenever I was alone on Thanksgiving Day. Maybe make a chicken breast with some nice sides and a salad. But now that I'm here in TV, I very much enjoy a large dinner party with lots of friends but I still try to eat carefully, selecting the best of veggies not soaked in cream or butter, lots of turkey without gravy and I save my calories for some great pies.

I've always been a careful eater, to eat healthy, low calorie foods with more protein and less fat, but still my cholesterol is high, so why not enjoy myself a little..

Please have a healthy and happy Thanksgiving!!

Barefoot
11-24-2013, 01:37 PM
This is the "Medical and Health Discussion" board and yet the last thread got hijacked by those not interested in health. So I'm starting this thread for anyone who is genuinely interested in a discussion about health.

....

Villages PL
11-24-2013, 01:38 PM
I agree with you VP, it is just another day. I have done the same as you for the past 30 years whenever I was alone on Thanksgiving Day. Maybe make a chicken breast with some nice sides and a salad. But now that I'm here in TV, I very much enjoy a large dinner party with lots of friends but I still try to eat carefully, selecting the best of veggies not soaked in cream or butter, lots of turkey without gravy and I save my calories for some great pies.

I've always been a careful eater, to eat healthy, low calorie foods with more protein and less fat, but still my cholesterol is high, so why not enjoy myself a little..

Please have a healthy and happy Thanksgiving!!


Thanks! And best wishes back to you for a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

Villages PL
11-24-2013, 01:50 PM
The last thread you posted did NOT get hijacked by those not interested in health!! Not at all. There were comments from people who did not agree with your point of view, that's all. That does not constitute hijacking.

I believe the thread got shut down because of highly emotonal accusations that I was "preaching" etc.. Those were highly personal attacks on me and that's "hijacking" in my opinion. Do I need to give you an exact quote? You can just read the last few posts to see what I mean. They were posts that used the word "preaching" and basically were telling me that I should shut up or "keep quiet".

Blessed2BNTV
11-24-2013, 02:18 PM
A nice reminder. I know I have to be more careful as I age on what and how much I eat. Again I thank you for the reminder.

gerryann
11-24-2013, 02:32 PM
It's really no different than any other day......those that indulge with fatty foods, will do so on Thanksgiving.....only more so. And, those that always eat healthy, will do so on Thanksgiving as well. For me, a holiday meal means trying a little of everything. I eat everything....in moderation.

Barefoot
11-24-2013, 03:34 PM
I believe the thread got shut down because of highly emotonal accusations that I was "preaching" etc..

You certainly have the right to voice your opinions. Happy Thanksgiving and Peace to you.

pooh
11-24-2013, 03:43 PM
Happy day before Thanksgiving and Happy Thanksgiving, VPL!

borjo
11-24-2013, 03:55 PM
But was not Thanksgiving a time when the Indians and Puritans sat around together and ate? Or is it just my elementary education kicking in? They celebrated and ate! What we eat now is, as always, up to us.

billethkid
11-24-2013, 04:06 PM
I do what is right and healthy and life prolong (we hope) about 355 days per year.

The holidays are my reward days for indulging without conscience coming into play. My indulging does not include eating to excess....but maybe a little more than the other 355 and for sure includes treats and goodies not allowed the other 355.

That works out to 2.3 % of a year anything I please is fair game and is my forumula for remaing healthy and happy.

btk

Villages PL
11-25-2013, 04:59 PM
You certainly have the right to voice your opinions. Happy Thanksgiving and Peace to you.

Happy Thanksgiving! :ho:

Villages PL
11-25-2013, 05:01 PM
Happy day before Thanksgiving and Happy Thanksgiving, VPL!

Thank you, pooh. Happy Thanksgiving!

Villages PL
11-25-2013, 05:19 PM
But was not Thanksgiving a time when the Indians and Puritans sat around together and ate? Or is it just my elementary education kicking in? They celebrated and ate! What we eat now is, as always, up to us.

Search: What foods did the pilgrims eat on Thanksgiving.

1) Wild turkeys and venison etc.

2) No dairy products from cows but they might have had goat cheese

3) They didn't have pies or other sweets (they brought some sugar with them but ran out)

You can get more information from the above search.

Happinow
11-25-2013, 07:05 PM
We will not go traditional this year. We will have prime rib, baked potato and a delicious spinach casserole (a recipe I got from Publics). That way we don't have to have the rolls, gravy, stuffing and all of that fat food. Actually, it's all wonderful and it's ok to indulge on the holidays a bit. I love turkey and stuffing!!

kittygilchrist
11-25-2013, 07:17 PM
Hey Lookie here anybody single and alone, there is a TG party at Larry's. Look at the singles forum if you might be interested in company. I don't like being alone on holidays and bc I have only 2 close family members, I'm sticking with my single peeps whenever I can.

kittygilchrist
11-25-2013, 07:18 PM
We will not go traditional this year. We will have prime rib, baked potato and a delicious spinach casserole (a recipe I got from Publics). That way we don't have to have the rolls, gravy, stuffing and all of that fat food. Actually, it's all wonderful and it's ok to indulge on the holidays a bit. I love turkey and stuffing!!

mmmmm. I'm liking your menu!

renielarson
11-25-2013, 08:41 PM
A healthy Thanksgiving is an oxymoron in my house. It, along with Christmas, is the time of year I use real (no fat free or light foods) and eat food I normally avoid the rest of the year. I'm following Weight Watchers and have lost nearly 20 pounds but Thanksgiving Day (and Christmas) is one of those times I'm throwing all caution to the wind! YUM-O!

:icon_hungry: Bring on the real Jello, the real homemade rolls, the real butter, the real brown sugar in the sweet potatoes, the real mashed potatoes (not mixed half and half with cauliflower) and the real whipped cream! I can hardly wait to indulge.

However, this could be me afterwards...barf

ilovetv
11-25-2013, 09:13 PM
We tend to look at Thanksgiving more as a family gathering, and not a giant meal. The fireplace is burning nice and hot, the candles are lit, the smells from the oven remind us of how our grandmas' houses smelled when we arrived as kids on Thanksgiving, and we make some of the recipes they used.

It's not about the food (although we make it really tasty). It's about seeing the relatives etc. who we'd otherwise see only at funerals or weddings.

The gathering aspect of the holiday is why I like the various house parties around TV where neighbors are invited in. Also many churches do it so nobody has to be alone that day.

Indydealmaker
11-25-2013, 09:16 PM
26908

golf2140
11-25-2013, 10:41 PM
At our age, just enjoy whatever. :boom:

senior citizen
11-25-2013, 10:42 PM
Search: What foods did the pilgrims eat on Thanksgiving.

1) Wild turkeys and venison etc.

2) No dairy products from cows but they might have had goat cheese

3) They didn't have pies or other sweets (they brought some sugar with them but ran out)

You can get more information from the above search.




WHAT DID THE PILGRIMS REALLY EAT AT THE FIRST THANKSGIVING????

FROM "YANKEE MAGAZINE" :

""The Thanksgiving meal is remarkably consistent in its elements: the turkey, the stuffing, the sweet potatoes, the cranberry sauce. Barring ethical, health, or religious objections, it is pretty much the same meal for everyone, across latitudes and longitudes, and through the years of their lives. We stick with the basics and simply change the seasonings.""

""But what about that first Thanksgiving in the fall of 1621 (historians don’t know the exact date, but place it sometime between September 21 and November 9), when British settlers hosted the first documented harvest celebration? What did they eat, and how similar is it to the traditional American Thanksgiving meal?""

""Here’s how Edward Winslow described the first Thanksgiving feast in a letter to a friend:


"Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruits of our labor. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which we brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."

""So venison was a major ingredient, as well as fowl, but that likely included pheasants, geese, and duck. Turkeys are a possibility, but were not a common food in that time. Pilgrims grew onions and herbs. Cranberries and currants would have been growing wild in the area, and watercress may have still been available if the hard frosts had held off, but there’s no record of them having been served. In fact, the meal was probably quite meat-heavy. Likewise, walnuts, chestnuts, and beechnuts were abundant, as were sunchokes. Shellfish were common, so they probably played a part, as did beans, pumpkins, squashes, and corn (served in the form of bread or porridge), thanks to the Wampanoags.""

""What didn’t they have at the first Thanksgiving? ""

""Potatoes (white or sweet), bread stuffing or pie (wheat flour was rare), sugar..."

""Aunt Lena’s green bean casserole.""

Polar Bear
11-25-2013, 11:02 PM
You never let it go, do you VPL. Not even one day a year. Oh well, to each his own. Happy Thanksgiving to all...no matter what you eat!

Indydealmaker
11-26-2013, 12:11 AM
Maple sugar comprised 12 percent of the Native American diet. The Native American name for maple sugar is Sinzibuckwud (drawn from the wood). Sugar was a basic seasoning for grains and breads, stews, teas, berries, vegetables. In the Southwest, the Native Americans chewed the sweet heart of the agave plant.

Read more: Native Americans, Diet of - food, nutrition, needs, body, health, fat, eating, water (http://www.faqs.org/nutrition/Met-Obe/Native-Americans-Diet-of.html#ixzz2lj2D0g2Q)

senior citizen
11-26-2013, 07:04 AM
Maple sugar comprised 12 percent of the Native American diet. The Native American name for maple sugar is Sinzibuckwud (drawn from the wood). Sugar was a basic seasoning for grains and breads, stews, teas, berries, vegetables. In the Southwest, the Native Americans chewed the sweet heart of the agave plant.

Read more: Native Americans, Diet of - food, nutrition, needs, body, health, fat, eating, water (http://www.faqs.org/nutrition/Met-Obe/Native-Americans-Diet-of.html#ixzz2lj2D0g2Q)




Thanksgiving on the Net - The Pilgrims and America's First Thanksgiving (http://www.holidays.net/thanksgiving/pilgrims.htm)

You are correct.

It was Squanto who first taught the pilgrims to tap maple trees for sap, thus maple sugar.
Yankee Magazine neglected to think of that.

Thank you.

tucson
11-26-2013, 08:50 AM
Thanksgiving on the Net - The Pilgrims and America's First Thanksgiving (http://www.holidays.net/thanksgiving/pilgrims.htm)

You are correct.

It was Squanto who first taught the pilgrims to tap maple trees for sap, thus maple sugar.
Yankee Magazine neglected to think of that.

Thank you.

Check out Plimoth Plantation 17th Century Harvest Served Dinner. www.plimoth.org

senior citizen
11-26-2013, 09:46 AM
Check out Plimoth Plantation 17th Century Harvest Served Dinner. www.plimoth.org (http://www.plimoth.org)


Darn it. I'm going to miss the pottage of cabbage, etc. ALL SOLD OUT.

Seriously, I've always wanted to take our adult kids, their spouses and all five grandchildren to this Thanksgiving dinner. We are only a 3 hour drive to Boston, but we'd have to overnight at least one night.....and then some would have to fly to us, while others had another three hour ride to us and then 3 to Boston......plus it gets pricey with lodging, breakfasts, etc.......nothing like The Villages restaurant prices.

My husband and I have visited Plimouth Plantation when we stayed a long weekend in Salem, Massachusetts........another "must see" long weekend.
Cute town...or small city.....the witch's dungeons, the play, the cemetery, etc. and the piers, parks, all very nice to see.

At Plimouth Plantation we saw the original type dwelling the pilgrims lived in when they first arrived; quite small, very humble.....to us it would be like a pig's stall......then, each year, they seemed to build larger dwellings......but still had a very very rough existence, to say the least........the little goats were wandering all over, chewing everyone's tags and shoe laces.

For the Pilgrims, that first Thanksgiving must have been wonderful, to share foods brought by the Indians......when starvation could easily come in the winter time.

We all have so much food, in abundance, that the holidays aren't exactly what they used to be.........we can have these foods any old time we wish........ Even our own grandparents had to save up a little here and there for the holiday celebrations......and since it was food they didn't have on a normal day to day basis, it was special. Not any more.

That actually is a very informative website.......I was just looking at some more of the side links, etc.

kittygilchrist
11-26-2013, 10:02 AM
26908

LOL! where is the rolling on the floor icon?:1rotfl::clap2::MOJE_whot:

that is so triple funny! don't we shout at the wall all day on here? I jus' love it. and I'm also the wall at whom you shout. excellent post.

2BNTV
11-26-2013, 11:21 AM
You never let it go, do you VPL. Not even one day a year. Oh well, to each his own. Happy Thanksgiving to all...no matter what you eat!

:agree: It doesn't hurt if you break down a couple of times a year.

I am a diabetic, who sometimes cheats and I don't get worked about it. "I must be perfect or I won't have good health". Watching one's diet is great, if coupled with exercise. Besides, some people have been watching their diet for so long, they feel they deserve the right to indulge themselves at this stage of their life barring any known medical problems. I think they feel, they have nothing to prove to anyone and are happy as they are.

People who eat let every meal that acts like they are, "going to the electric chair", needs to heed these warnings.

Nuff said.... Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Barefoot
11-26-2013, 11:25 AM
They didn't have pies or other sweets (they brought some sugar with them but ran out)..

[quote=Indydealmaker;787077]
Maple sugar comprised 12 percent of the Native American diet. The Native American name for maple sugar is Sinzibuckwud (drawn from the wood). Sugar was a basic seasoning for grains and breads, stews, teas, berries, vegetables. In the Southwest, the Native Americans chewed the sweet heart of the agave plant.

A Pawtuxet Indian named Squanto taught the malnourished Pilgrims how to extract sap from Maple Trees. I bet that was a Happy Day! :girlneener:

tippyclubb
11-26-2013, 12:02 PM
We love the holidays because it these days we get to spend time with all of the family. Tom & I eat healthy, low fat, low sodium all year long. On the holidays we throw caution to the wind and eat whatever we want and don't feel guilty about it either. Everything in moderation.

Villages PL
11-26-2013, 12:23 PM
:jester: Now were you there or are you just willing to take the word of someone else that wasn't there?? :jester:

I was there but I didn't eat any maple sugar, and that's why I'm still here today to talk about it. :) I liked the wild game because I think it was only about 5% fat and it had a healthy balance of omega-3 to omega-6. Also, it didn't contain any pesticides, herbicides, hormones, or antibiotics. Unfortunately, we can't make that claim today.

I especially liked the vegetables. They were organic and grown on virgin soil. I made sure I ate mostly fruits and vegetables so as to get lots of nutrition and fiber in my diet. Too much meat would have been boring and constipating. :ohdear:

Villages PL
11-26-2013, 12:29 PM
At our age, just enjoy whatever. :boom:

What age are you referring to? At what age should one throw in the towel? 65, 75, 85, 95, or 105? :-)

Peachie
11-26-2013, 12:30 PM
We love the holidays because it these days we get to spend time with all of the family. Tom & I eat healthy, low fat, low sodium all year long. On the holidays we throw caution to the wind and eat whatever we want and don't feel guilty about it either. Everything in moderation.

That sounds like a very wise decision, have a great holiday season.:wave:

2BNTV
11-26-2013, 12:34 PM
I was there but I didn't eat any maple sugar, and that's why I'm still here today to talk about it. :) I liked the wild game because I think it was only about 5% fat and it had a healthy balance of omega-3 to omega-6. Also, it didn't contain any pesticides, herbicides, hormones, or antibiotics. Unfortunately, we can't make that claim today.

I especially liked the vegetables. They were organic and grown on virgin soil. I made sure I ate mostly fruits and vegetables so as to get lots of fiber in my diet. Too much meat would have been boring and constipating. :ohdear:

In general, I agree with you but it's only two days a year that I would eat less than healthy. It's the other 363 days, (except for Thanksgiving and Xmas), a year that count. :smiley:

Please let it go. It's not worth getting upset about it. Everyone is going to do as they please, and no amount of info is going to change that, for most people. IMHO :smiley:

Villages PL
11-26-2013, 12:58 PM
In general, I agree with you but it's only two days a year that I would eat less than healthy. It's the other 363 days, (except for Thanksgiving and Xmas), a year that count. :smiley:

If you're sure you're doing the right thing then just keep doing what you're doing. You have my blessing. No need to try to get this thread shut down.

2BNTV
11-26-2013, 01:02 PM
If you're sure you're doing the right thing then just keep doing what you're doing. You have my blessing. No need to try to get this thread shut down.

Thank you so very much. :smiley:

Villages PL
11-26-2013, 01:17 PM
Thank you so very much. :smiley:

You're welcome. Have a happy Thanksgiving.

Polar Bear
11-26-2013, 03:28 PM
At our age, just enjoy whatever. :boom:

What age are you referring to? At what age should one throw in the towel? 65, 75, 85, 95, or 105? :-)

I read "enjoy", not "throw in the towel"...and that applies to any age.

CFrance
11-26-2013, 04:59 PM
VPL, I think you are the nutritional conscience of TV. I don't always agree with the degree to which you advocate adherence (nor am I self-disciplined enough to follow your lead exactly), but I have to admit you have a good regime and a lot of good facts.

Whatever you do on that day and the day before, Happy Thanksgiving.

We will board a plane at 10 pm on 11/27, crossing over the international dateline, and 11/28 is going to zip by in a heartbeat to become 11/29. As to what we will be eating, well... you know how healthy airline food is! And I refuse to pre-order vegetarian airline food. I've tried; it's even worse tasting than their normal fare.barf

Villages PL
11-26-2013, 05:38 PM
I read "enjoy", not "throw in the towel"...and that applies to any age.

You're attempting to alter the statement. The statement started with, "At our age", implying that when you reach a certain age there's no point in worrying about health.

Villages PL
11-26-2013, 05:45 PM
VPL, I think you are the nutritional conscience of TV. I don't always agree with the degree to which you advocate adherence (nor am I self-disciplined enough to follow your lead exactly), but I have to admit you have a good regime and a lot of good facts.

Whatever you do on that day and the day before, Happy Thanksgiving.

Thanks for the compliment and best wishes for a Happy Thanksgining.

We will board a plane at 10 pm on 11/27, crossing over the international dateline, and 11/28 is going to zip by in a heartbeat to become 11/29. As to what we will be eating, well... you know how healthy airline food is! And I refuse to pre-order vegetarian airline food. I've tried; it's even worse tasting than their normal fare.barf

Have a safe trip.

Jayhawk
11-26-2013, 05:46 PM
:wave:I was there but I didn't eat any maple sugar, and that's why I'm still here today to talk about it. :) I liked the wild game because I think it was only about 5% fat and it had a healthy balance of omega-3 to omega-6. Also, it didn't contain any pesticides, herbicides, hormones, or antibiotics. Unfortunately, we can't make that claim today.

I especially liked the vegetables. They were organic and grown on virgin soil. I made sure I ate mostly fruits and vegetables so as to get lots of nutrition and fiber in my diet. Too much meat would have been boring and constipating. :ohdear:

Then you have already beat the odds, because the average life span for a male when you and the other pilgrams landed was about 40 years. And that was without all the bad things you mentioned :wave:

As others have said, Happy Thanksgiving to you however you choose to celebrate it. All the best !!!!

Villages PL
11-26-2013, 05:57 PM
:wave:

Then you have already beat the odds, because the average life span for a male when you and the other pilgrams landed was about 40 years. And that was without all the bad things you mentioned :wave:

As others have said, Happy Thanksgiving to you however you choose to celebrate it. All the best !!!!

Thanks! Happy Thanksgiving!

kittygilchrist
11-26-2013, 06:55 PM
I believe the thread got shut down because of highly emotonal accusations that I was "preaching" etc.. Those were highly personal attacks on me and that's "hijacking" in my opinion. Do I need to give you an exact quote? You can just read the last few posts to see what I mean. They were posts that used the word "preaching" and basically were telling me that I should shut up or "keep quiet".

that hurts. I'm glad you brushed off and came back out to play. everybody gets knocked down on the playground. i'm interested in anti-inflammatory diet and use dr. weil's pyramid. it takes dedication to eat that much in a day. LOL

Villages PL
11-27-2013, 11:28 AM
that hurts. I'm glad you brushed off and came back out to play. everybody gets knocked down on the playground. i'm interested in anti-inflammatory diet and use dr. weil's pyramid. it takes dedication to eat that much in a day. LOL

That's good. I'm glad to hear it. My diet is anti-inflammatory too. That's part of what it takes to help prevent cancer and other degenerative diseases. I believe I have a couple of his books but I don't remember what's in his pyramid. When I get a chance I'll look for it. I never got too excited about his work because, if I remember correctly, he's big on supplements and herbs.

CFrance
11-27-2013, 11:50 AM
That's good. I'm glad to hear it. My diet is anti-inflammatory too. That's part of what it takes to help prevent cancer and other degenerative diseases. I believe I have a couple of his books but I don't remember what's in his pyramid. When I get a chance I'll look for it. I never got too excited about his work because, if I remember correctly, he's big on supplements and herbs.

If you click on the parts of the pyramid in the link Kitty gave, it will bring up a window listing foods in that group and why they are beneficial.

Polar Bear
11-27-2013, 11:58 PM
You're attempting to alter the statement. The statement started with, "At our age", implying that when you reach a certain age there's no point in worrying about health.

I read no such implication. It's simply your inference because it suits your argument.

Villages PL
11-29-2013, 04:30 PM
I read "enjoy", not "throw in the towel"...and that applies to any age.

I see that the phrase "throw in the towel" has you confused. So forget about that phrase. The essence of my question was to find out, in his opinion, what age has to do with it. If I was wrong in my assumption, he could have set the record straight. I would like to know why one would suddenly start to enjoy themselves at a certain age?

Villages PL
11-29-2013, 04:38 PM
If you click on the parts of the pyramid in the link Kitty gave, it will bring up a window listing foods in that group and why they are beneficial.

Really? I didn't see any such link.

Polar Bear
11-29-2013, 10:41 PM
I see that the phrase "throw in the towel" has you confused...

Finally we agree on something, VPL. Much of what you say leaves me confused.

Barefoot
11-30-2013, 01:13 AM
I would like to know why one would suddenly start to enjoy themselves at a certain age?

Because at a certain age, one retires. :MOJE_whot:

Because they retire, they sleep in if they feel like it, they golf daily, they get new hobbies, their time is finally their own, they can be barefoot at last and do whatever the heck they want!!

Villages PL
11-30-2013, 12:52 PM
Because at a certain age, one retires. :MOJE_whot:

Because they retire, they sleep in if they feel like it, they golf daily, they get new hobbies, their time is finally their own, they can be barefoot at last and do whatever the heck they want!!

The thread heading is: For those interested in planning a healthy Thanksgiving. So we're talking about food and we don't know if this person is still working or retired. If retired, we don't know how long the person has been retired. The person started by saying, "At my age", not "Now that I'm retired".

Nice try though. Anyone else care to give it a shot? :)

Barefoot
11-30-2013, 01:28 PM
......