Happy Thanksgiving

Today's health tip is simple. Spend at least as much time walking briskly as you spent lounging, snacking and eating your Thanksgiving meal.

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer

Plan today for tomorrow

Create a strategy for a healthy Thanksgiving Day. Decide now when you're going to get physical activity tomorrow. Plan to have a healthy breakfast in the morning; you'll be less likely to overeat later. Pledge to put your fork down between bites of food. Limit liquid calories. Serve yourself sides with a teaspoon. Put your plan on paper and keep it in your pocket as a reminder.

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer

Skip day

To help avoid Holiday weight gain, skip all sweet treats today, except whole, fresh fruit. Instead of reaching into the candy jar, have a small apple, then go climb up 3 flights of stairs. Skipping those calories today, will help balance some overeating on Thanksgiving.

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer

Prevention plan

Prevent Thanksgiving weight gain by eating less at all other meals this week. If you normally have 2 beers after work, have just one, skip fries at lunch, 86 the mayo on your sandwich, pass on second helpings at dinner. Schedule yourself for 30 minutes to one hour of challenging physical activity every day; make it the one appointment you don't break. 

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer

Pears are plentiful

Buy a bagful this weekend to take to work on Monday for snacks or leave out in plain view at home. A medium pear (about 6 ounces) has about 100 calories, plus fiber and potassium. They're great fresh, diced and tossed in a salad, poached in wine, or baked to perfection.

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer

Herbal remedy

Start an herb garden. Fresh herbs add flavor without fat and calories. Plus, gardening can be a fun, relaxing hobby, helping with stress management. Basil and rosemary are two easy plants to start with.

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer

Try something new

Bake an acorn squash for dinner tonight. Cut in half, scoop out seeds, bake on foil cut side down at 350 degrees until soft. Half a medium squash has about 112 calories, almost nine grams of fiber, plus calcium and vitamin A.

Do your meals measure up?

When serving dinner tonight measure everything in measuring cups or on a kitchen scale. See how accurate you are at pouring a 4 ounce glass of wine, a tablespoon of salad dressing or dishing up a half cup of rice or potatoes. Controlling portions can help control weight and diabetes. November is Diabetes Awareness Month. 

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer

Plan for a snack attack

Start scheduling and planning for 3 between meal snacks each day. Focus on high fiber, low fat, calcium and protein. Examples: 1 string cheese with 4 whole grain crackers, a small apple with two tablespoons of dry roasted peanuts, one  4 ounce sugar free pudding or yogurt cup. November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Snacks can help diabetics control their blood sugar.

Irene Maher, Staff Health Writer

Brain food

Eat fish, nuts and dark green vegetables this weekend to help keep your brain healthy. Halibut, trout and salmon; almonds, pecans and walnuts; kale, spinach and broccoli all appear to protect brain cells. Click here to find out more about brain health and preventing Alzheimer's Disease.