Turkey, potatoes and pie -- oh my!


A delicious Thanksgiving menu satisfies like no other, but such a food-centric holiday can wreak havoc on your diet and cause unneeded stress over the extra calories. What's the best way to indulge without guilt during the holiday season?


Personal chef Jane Coxwell told HuffPost Live's Nancy Redd[1] that it's alright to give yourself a break to enjoy great food (with even better company!) during the Thanksgiving holiday.


"There are times for cutting back, but do that in January, I think," Coxwell said. "I certainly try not to limit myself from a happy, happy time."


See all of Coxwell's tips for mindful holiday indulgence at HuffPost Live HERE[2] .



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  • Cinnamon


    A staple in holiday cookie recipes -- and sprinkled atop seasonal drinks -- cinnamon has several health benefits. Studies have linked consumption of this spice to lower blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes, says registered dietitian and American Dietetic Association spokesperson, Toby Smithson, founder of <a href="http://www.DiabetesEveryDay.com" target="_hplink">DiabetesEveryDay.com</a> -- it may also decrease cholesterol and triglyceride levels.




  • Ginger


    Turns out a dose of ginger tea for an upset stomach isn't an old wives' tail -- the spice has been shown to calm nausea and help with motion sickness, Smithson says (helpful after holiday travel!). It may also help to ease migraine headaches and possibly even prevent ovarian cancer.

    In addition, ginger may relieve pain and swelling from arthritis, says Katherine Brooking, RD, co-founder of <a href="http://www.AppForHealth.com" target="_hplink">AppForHealth.com</a>. But beware that it can hinder blood clotting, meaning you should speak to your doctor if you're taking a blood thinner or aspirin, or if you're about to have surgery.




  • Nutmeg


    Nutmeg can make the whole house smell festive -- and it may have other sweet perks, as well. <a href="http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/blogs/vitamin-g/2010/09/5-surprising-health-benefits-o.html" target="_hplink">Glamour reported</a> in 2010 that this spice can regulate your GI tract and promote sleep. It also has <a href="http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/blogs/vitamin-g/2010/09/5-surprising-health-benefits-o.html" target="_hplink">anti-inflammatory properties</a> -- Glamour suggests mixing it with milk to apply to a facial blemish or rubbing a little of the oil form onto your gums for toothaches.




  • Cloves


    Just a half-teaspoon of cloves, Smithson says, has higher antioxidant content than an entire half-cup of blueberries or cranberries. Cloves contain an active component called eugenol, Brooking explains, which some <a href="http://jap.physiology.org/content/108/4/845.short" target="_hplink">research suggests</a> operates as an anti-inflammatory.




  • Peppermint


    As if you needed one more reason to nosh on a candy cane, Smithson says peppermint can quell an upset stomach, alleviate headaches and sooth symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome -- it may also have cancer prevention properties. But be careful if you're prone to heartburn, as peppermint can make it worse.