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16 SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2023 By Clare Mendez, Resident e feast that officially kicks off the holiday season is almost here. anksgiving is steeped in the comfort and familiarity of traditional foods – turkey, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. If you blame the turkey for your aer-dinner snooze or feel you've ruined your healthy diet by splurging on pumpkin pie, read on to debunk some anksgiving feast un-truths according to Tus University. Turkey makes you sleepy. Not really. Post- meal sluggishness is more likely due to other factors. e high intake of rapidly digested carbohydrates (e.g., white potatoes, stuffing, and sugary desserts) at most anksgiving meals increases blood sugar quickly. e major boost in insulin released to manage that blood sugar can cause an overreaction, leading to low blood sugar levels and tiredness. What goes up, must come down. To prevent a stupor caused by overindulgence, don't go to the anksgiving meal overly hungry. Eat small portions of white potatoes, stuffing and sweet cranberry sauce. Aer dinner put those carbs to task with an energizing post meal walk instead of a nap. Canned pumpkin is not as nutritious as fresh. ey are pretty equivalent. Whether fresh or canned, you really can't go wrong with this flavorful and nutrient-dense winter squash. A single half-cup serving of either fresh or canned pumpkin packs more than 100 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin A and is a good source of several other vitamins and minerals, including fiber, vitamin C, iron, and potassium. Choose 100 percent pumpkin, not cans of pumpkin pie mix, which contains a lot of added sugar, salt, and spices. You can, instead, use 100% pumpkin purée in muffins, pancakes, and savory dishes like soups. Cranberry sauce is great for health. Whole cranberries, fresh or frozen, are naturally low in sugar, but it takes a lot of added sugar to counter their tartness. For many, a anksgiving meal is not complete without cranberry sauce. is celebrated staple might seem to be among the healthiest dishes on the table. It could be – if it weren't for all the added sugar. Consider making your own sauce or relish with less sugar. e bird is done when the juices run clear. Not true – use a meat thermometer. e color of the juices is not a reliable way to avoid giving your guests food poisoning. According to the USDA, poultry is done when internal temperature reaches 165° F. e best way to check for doneness is to use a meat thermometer. To do this, remove the turkey from the oven and check the temperature by inserting a meat thermometer horizontally into the thickest part of the breast and the innermost part of the thigh, making sure not to let the thermometer touch bone. Happy anksgiving, and may I suggest, if you know someone who will be home alone and not have a place to go for anksgiving dinner, consider inviting them over to celebrate with you. Thanksgiving Feast Mconceptions Billiards Susan Briggs & Al Boucher Diana Carofano & Al Boucher Carmen Busic & Ken Barratt Al Boucher & Bob Larson