THANKSGIVING CHOICES

Found this ineresting and helpful in my planning for the Holiday meal. Hope it can be of help to anyone who can use it! Happy T-Day!  
THANKSGIVING CHOICES 

Have you ever wondered what exactly is in the traditional Thanksgiving choices?
Wonder no more – here are the average calorie costs for some Thanksgiving favs.

1 glass cider: 120 calories
1 cup eggnog: 360 calories 1 cracker with cheese: 70 calories ½ cup raw vegetables: 25 calories ½ cup mixed nuts: 440 calories
½ cup fresh fruit: 60 calories
1 ounce tortilla chips: 150 calories
1 ounce potato chips: 150 calories
1 Tablespoon chip dip: 75 calories
3 c. salad w/diet dressing: 100 calories
½ cup waldorf salad: 110 calories
6 ounces cured ham: 300 calories
6 oz. white & dark turkey: 340 calories
6 ounces prime rib: 330 calories
½ cup stuffing: 180 calories
½ cup cranberry sauce: 190 calories
½ cup mashed potatoes: 150 calories
½ cup gravy: 150 calories
½ c. green bean casserole 225 calories
½ c. sautéed green beans 50 calories
½ c. creamed spinach: 135 calories
½ c. candied sweet potatoes: 150 calories
½ c. sweet potatoes with marshmallows: 305 calories 1 biscuit: 250 calories
1 dinner roll: 110 calories
1 pat butter: 45 calories
2 small choc. chip cookies 150 calories
1 slice apple pie (1/8 of 9 inch pie): 410 calories
1 slice pecan pie (1/8 of 9 inch pie): 480 calories
1 slice pumpkin pie (1/8 of 9 inch pie): 180 calories
½ cup whipped cream: 75 calories
1 small piece fudge: 75 calories 
Leftovers:
1 turkey sandwich with mayonnaise and cranberry sauce: 450 calories
1 open-face turkey sandwich with stuffing and gravy: 290 calories
As an example of an average Thanksgiving meal, here are some of the choices: 1 glass of wine, cracker with cheese, ½ cup of mixed, raw veggies, ½ cup of fresh fruit, 1 ounce of potato or tortilla chips, 1 teaspoon of chip dip, 3 cups salad with diet dressing, 6 ounces of white and dark turkey, 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes, ½ cup of gravy, ½ cup of green bean casserole, ½ cup of candied sweet potatoes, a dinner roll, a pat of butter, slice of pumpkin pie = 1950 calories.

 You will need to walk 19.5 miles, 31.45 kilometers, or 39,000 steps, assuming you cover one mile in 2,000 steps!!! Wow!
 For many of us, Thanksgiving includes unbuttoning our pants, laying on the couch taking a nap, or vegging ou****ching the games on television. That is only one of the choices you could make. This choice doesn’t do much to promote your healthy habits or burn many calories to keep your metabolism running throughout the day. You have other choices – healthier choices. 

  *Many communities hold “Turkey Trots" on Thanksgiving Day to raise money for charities and to ensure a focus on fitness and exercise during a food focused day. Participate and start a new tradition.
   *Go on a bike ride with your family, friends or solo. Enjoy the crisp, cool weather while you keep your metabolism burning strong. 
  *Want to stay indoors? Play a game or fitness game on your Wii to have fun while you’re active. A little competition after your Thanksgiving is fun and prevents slipping into a food-induced coma on the couch
   *You have lots of extra hands so put up your holiday decorations and string lights.  The more hands the merrier in this activity!
   *Take a walk or go for a run to continue your fitness habits. Make your Thanksgiving about quality time and creating memories with family and friends. Those are choices that you’ll enjoy all year and especially the day after Thanksgiving or the next time you weigh. Knowledge is power so now that you know the caloric values of Thanksgiving favorites and suggestions for activities, empower yourself to make the best choices to promote your every day healthy habits. Remember, the focus of the holidays are family, friends, and the priorities of your life, not food. Stuff the turkey - not yourself! 

Keep your own “GRATEFUL" front and center in your life:
   Good - It is easy to focus on the negative. In most situations, there is something good that can be found. When a situation occurs that appears negative, ask  ourself “What is something good that I might have missed and can take away for myself?"
   Reach Out – Help someone else. It can be a family member, a friend or supporting a member of our group Not only will you help another person but reaching out makes you feel good.  
  Attitude - Do you have an attitude of gratitude? Do you ever slow down enough to notice all the blessings in your life? Focus on three things from every day that you are grateful for. Keep a gratitude journal or list.
   Time - Value your time. Make the most of everyday. Don’t take your time for granted. Fill your days in a meaningful way.   Enthusiasm – Live your life with zest. Being enthusiastic about your day is a powerful way to be grateful.
   Fun - When was the last time you had fun? Fun is important in order for you to feel grateful. Regularly schedule some fun. 
  Unusual - Do you do the same old same old each and every day? Life has many cool things available, so why die the daily death of "I've always done it this way before?"
   Live full out - Want to feel very grateful this time next year and most days in between? Then live full out. Let it rip! _ 

  Christmas is important. Easter is important. Halloween is important for kids of all ages. For our own personal happiness, there is nothing like a heartfelt Thanksgiving. Have a Happy Thanksgiving today and everyday! Borrowed from: http://images.obesityhelp.com/forums/ohsupportgroup/Thanksgiving%
 

just wanted to bump this back to the top. I feel it is inportant and may be helpful to those of us who struggle