Happy Thanksgiving! The good for you food of the week is a bit different today—we’re looking at several good for you foods that are probably already on your Thanksgiving buffet. So many of us approach Thanksgiving with the mindset that it’s the worst day of the year for healthy eating, but it’s actually not as bad as you might think. Many of the traditional components of the Thanksgiving feast are packed with nutrition.

Turkey: the star of the show. This lean protein (4 ounces delivers two-thirds of your daily supply) contains the essential amino acid tryptophan, which raises levels of serotonin. This helps us relax and, believe it or not, regulate our appetite.
Cranberries: major antioxidant power in a tiny little package. Fresh cranberries are low in calories and contain an antibacterial agent which reduce the ability of bacteria to adhere to your body’s cells. This makes cranberries a natural weapon against infections.
Apples: a key component in Thanksgiving pies, stuffing, and salad. Apples provide dietary fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Be sure to eat the skin for maximum nutrition benefits.
Butternut squash: loaded with vitamin A. This winter squash gives you more than a full day’s supply of vitamin A, plus numerous other vitamins and minerals.
Cinnamon: the bark of the cinnamon tree helps slow the rate at which the stomach empties after meals, which in turn reduces the rise in blood sugar after eating. This is essential for reducing LDL (“bad” cholesterol), thereby lowering your risk of heart disease or stroke.
Sweet potatoes: another secret weapon in your quest to get enough vitamin A. Like the butternut squash, sweet potatoes deliver more than a day’s supply. Consider replacing your regular mashed potatoes with sweet potatoes this year.
Figs: not just for decoration! Figs are full of potassium, which help control blood pressure, as well as dietary fiber, and manganese. You may find figs in your stuffing, or enjoy them dried with nuts or cheese as an appetizer before the big feast.
Pumpkin: a double duty nutritional powerhouse. The meat and the seeds from the pumpkin are both good for you foods. You’ll get vitamins A and C, and several B vitamins, dietary fiber, and copper from the meat of the pumpkin, while pumpkin seeds deliver manganese, magnesium, iron, and zinc, among other nutrients.

Of course, these foods are all best consumed in their fresh, natural state. The less you add to them, the better they are for you. For example, roasted sweet potatoes are one of nature’s perfect foods. Unfortunately, many of us greatly reduce their benefits by adding loads of butter, whipping cream and marshmallows.

However you prepare your Thanksgiving feast, be sure to savor it. If you’ve been reading this column all week, you know that the most important part of today’s celebration is to take time to think about what you’re grateful for, enjoy your time with family and friends, and give yourself permission to enjoy your favorites.

The Boise Healthy Living Examiner wishes you all a very Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving.

Read all of the good for you food of the week articles

Read more Thanksgiving articles:

Healthier holiday: four tips for Thanksgiving

A thankful life is a healthy life