Best Meals to Eat on the Day After Thanksgiving

After getting your fill of rich holiday foods on Thanksgiving, the last thing you probably want is reheated turkey and dressing for lunch and dinner the next day. So instead of stale breadcrumbs and a chewy, half-eaten bird, opt for one of these three fun alternatives to Thanksgiving leftovers.

Mine and my family's favorite tradition on the day after Thanksgiving is going out for lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant. Mexican food is perhaps the best thing you could possibly eat after consuming a huge meal that is rich. Turkey contains a chemical called l-tryptophan which is a known sleep enhancer, and eating spicy foods such as tamales, hot sauce, queso, and burritos will be a welcome palette cleanser and energizer to wake you up from your turkey coma from the day before. Chow down on some spicy south of the border goodness and get revitalized before you go on your holiday shopping kick-off.

Did you know that pizza delivery is busiest on the day after Thanksgiving? This is partly because nobody wants to cook after preparing a huge Thanksgiving dinner and because pizza tastes unlike anything you consumed the previous day. Any Italian dish such as pizza, pasta, or bread sticks with tomato sauce make great meals for Black Friday dining. The spicy taste combined with the heartiness will be a warm welcome to your tummy and makes a great comfort food to eat while you are enjoying holiday movies with your family.

If you aren't quite in the mood for Mexican or Italian food, another fantastic alternative to Thanksgiving leftovers is sushi. This is another personal favorite of mine, as sushi is perhaps my favorite food ever! Sushi, or any Oriental dish is a great food that will fill you up, but not to the point where you feel gorged (as most of us do on Thanksgiving Day). You will feel lighter and not as remorseful either, as most of these dishes contain veggies and rice, which are the healthiest foods you can eat. Add a little soy sauce and some ginger, and you will feel healthy and ready to start the new holiday season. Don't worry about all those leftovers going to waste. They will keep for at least a week, but before you start to put a dent in them, just give some of these alternatives a try. Remember, the holidays are a time of traditions, so start a couple of new ones this Black Friday.