+The holidays are such a hard time of year to try and be healthy, especially Thanksgiving Day. I mean come on, the whole holiday is about indulging in delicious foods! The good news is that it's totally possible to stay on track and stick to healthy eating, even this time of year. My go-to Thanksgiving dinner plan includes: 

• Loading up on turkey and vegetables: I hit up the veggie tray and add salads and healthy sides like roasted Brussels sprouts or green beans. 
  
• Enjoying not-so-healthy foods in moderation: It's good to enjoy yourself and not be deprived, while also not going overboard on unhealthy foods. I make a point to eat the foods I love, watching portions. 
  
• Avoiding overeating: Listen to your body as you eat. If you start to feel full, slow down or take a break to avoid eating too much. 
  

Avoid peer pressure during Thanksgiving dinner

This is what no one warns you about: one of the biggest challenges is peer pressure: "Oh, come on, it's Thanksgiving! Treat yourself!" Right? I've heard that a lot. But this is about you, and what you want. Sure, people will hassle you during Thanksgiving, but when the New Year rolls around and everyone is joining on the healthy bandwagon, you will already have a head start! And congrats, that's a lifestyle change! Making healthy choices during the holidays is hard, and you can successfully maneuver through it.

With that being said, let's get to the leftovers! When Friday rolls around, you'll need to be back on your game, right? That canned cranberry sauce? You can put it to good use!

Healthy Thanksgiving leftover recipes

Put a lighter spin on leftovers with these healthy post-Thanksgiving recipes. 

Breakfast: 

Cranberry Yogurt Granola Parfait

• Half cup of plain Greek yogurt
• A couple spoonfuls of cranberry sauce
• Sprinkle with blueberries 
• 1/4 cup of granola
  

Lunch or dinner:

Cranberry Balsamic Vinaigrette 

• One tablespoon cranberry sauce
  
• One tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  
• 3/4 tablespoon olive oil
  

Add ingredients to a small bowl, then whisk together with a fork until smooth. 

Kale and Spinach Turkey Salad

• Handful of kale
  
• Handful of spinach
  
• Half of granny smith apple (optional)
  
• Sprinkle of pecans
  
• Sprinkle of Craisins 
  
• 3 oz. leftover turkey, shredded or cut into cubes
  

Combine ingredients together in a bowl, toss with cranberry balsamic dressing and enjoy.

Thanksgiving dinner can be super intimidating, but you don't have to fall into old, unhealthy routines. You can still enjoy all the deliciousness of the holidays while being kind to your body. You got this! 

For additional tips for making healthy choices at Thanksgiving, check out this article.