Heart Health High Cholesterol Nutrition Tips for a Low-Cholesterol, Heart-Healthy Thanksgiving Meal Print By Ellen Slotkin, RD, LDN | Medically reviewed by Richard N. Fogoros, MD Updated June 30, 2018 Thomas Barwick/Getty Images More in High Cholesterol Nutrition Causes & Risk Factors Diagnosis Treatment Support & Coping Wondering how to prepare a low-cholesterol, heart-healthy Thanksgiving? The key to success is planning ahead for simple modifications. Follow these seven helpful tips for a delicious, heart-healthy Thanksgiving meal you and your family will love. How to Have a Healthy, Low-Cholesterol Thanksgiving Dinner Here's how to go about a having a healthier holiday. Plan Ahead Look for low-cholesterol and low-fat Thanksgiving recipes. If guests will be bringing dishes, ask that they follow heart-healthy guidelines in foods that they prepare or purchase. Stock your kitchen with ingredients such as low-fat and reduced fat dairy products, egg substitute, non-fat cooking spray, fat-free soups, and whole wheat flour for low-cholesterol holiday cooking. Start With Superfoods Plan to include plenty of low-cholesterol superfoods in your Thanksgiving dinner menu. The Main Event When it comes to turkey, plan to flavor with a fantastic herb rub rather than butter. Choose light meat over dark meat, aim for a 4 ounce portion, and remember to remove the skin. Watch Your Portions The American Heart Association recommends no more than 200 mg daily of dietary cholesterol for individuals with high cholesterol or being treated for high cholesterol . One cup of roasted turkey has 105 mg of dietary cholesterol, so load up on "real vegetable" sides to keep your cholesterol intake low. Vegetable sides are dishes such as sautéed green beans or green beans topped with toasted almonds and a touch of lemon, not a traditional green bean casserole made with full-fat cheese and milk. Drink Up Limit alcohol and stay busy sipping calorie-free fluids such as water, seltzer, and diet iced tea. This will help prevent you from overeating. Need some variety? Throw berries, melon, or cucumber into a pitcher with ice to make your own delicious flavored water. Smart Seconds If you have cleared your plate and are looking for seconds, start with seconds of salad or vegetable sides before mashed potatoes or meat. Enjoy Remember that food is only part of Thanksgiving! Focusing on enjoying the company of your friends and family can help you resist the urge to overeat. Plan on playing family games or get the gang together for a game of touch football or a walk. Enjoy your low-cholesterol Thanksgiving! Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Looking to start a diet to better manage your cholesterol? Changing lifelong eating habits can be scary at first, but our guide will make it easier. Email Address Sign Up There was an error. Please try again. Thank you, , for signing up. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Continue Reading