How to Make Thanksgiving (a Little Bit) Healthier and Still Eat Pie

I remember spending many Thanksgiving afternoons sprawled out on my grandmother's living room floor, fighting my sisters for possession of a pillow. Full of turkey, tired and with my pants blatantly unbuttoned, Thanksgiving had been eaten.

Fast forward twenty-some years and the goal is no longer to stuff myself so much that I lay like a beached whale in front of my family. Taking a healthier approach to a holiday that is known for gluttonous over indulgences is smart, but difficult. Who doesn't love a huge slice or two of pie after eating a plate of carb-packed mash potatoes dripping in gravy, paired up with a vegetable hidden in a thick cream sauce?

Here are a few ideas for ways to make your Thanksgiving dinner, and the day as a whole, healthier.

Fill the Plate Once and Put it Away
I am a picker. If it's in front of me, I keep picking. Try filling your plate once with everything you want to try. Small portions of each item, including salads, vegetables and raw veggies should be included. Once your plate is clean, don't refill, or start picking at leftovers. After everyone has been served, put hot dishes back in the oven to stay warm, and cold dishes in the refrigerator to stay cool. Don't use a new plate until dessert is served.

Dessert Options
I love sweets, and that is where I go wrong at Thanksgiving. Deciding between chiffon or dense pumpkin pie shouldn't even be a question. I want both. And, I can't pass up pecan, apple or cherry pie. I love them all. But, to stay healthy, try making a sampler dessert plate. Rather than two full sized pieces of pie, opt for a sliver of several. Using a dessert plate, stop when it's full and don't go back for more. Choose your favorite few, and slice a mini piece. Tasting them all will leave your sweet tooth satisfied, since you know your belly is already full.

Plan an Activity
After dinner, why not take a family walk around the block? Muse at the changing leaves, the changes made to houses in the neighborhood or stop at a park along the way for children to play. Get up and out, and start burning off a few calories. If the weather is less than desirable, break out the Wii Fit or Twister game for some indoor exercise.