The only Thanksgiving leftovers guide you need

By Sandee LaMotte and Breeana Hare, CNN

Updated 5:16 AM ET, Fri November 29, 2019

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Thanksgiving means family -- and food. Despite our best intentions, good eating habits are often forgotten during the holiday festivities. <a href="http://walking.about.com/library/cal/blthanksgivingcalories.htm" target="_blank">Estimates</a> <a href="http://articles.nydailynews.com/2010-11-23/entertainment/27082088_1_calories-thanksgiving-sweet-potatoes" target="_blank">clock</a> the calorie count of the average holiday dinner between 3,000 and 4,500 calories. There's good news, though: With these tips from <a href="http://www.tops.org/default.aspx" target="_blank">TOPS</a>, a nonprofit weight loss organization, Thanksgiving dinner won't be a total diet downfall.
Photos: 9 tips to trim Thanksgiving calories
Thanksgiving means family -- and food. Despite our best intentions, good eating habits are often forgotten during the holiday festivities. Estimates clock the calorie count of the average holiday dinner between 3,000 and 4,500 calories. There's good news, though: With these tips from TOPS, a nonprofit weight loss organization, Thanksgiving dinner won't be a total diet downfall.
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Consider eating a light snack before the big meal, like a low-calorie dip and some vegetables or yogurt in order to control your appetite.
Photos: 9 tips to trim Thanksgiving calories
Consider eating a light snack before the big meal, like a low-calorie dip and some vegetables or yogurt in order to control your appetite.
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When cooking, look for places in the recipe to switch out ingredients for healthier alternatives. Try replacing butter with olive oil or sugar with honey.
Photos: 9 tips to trim Thanksgiving calories
When cooking, look for places in the recipe to switch out ingredients for healthier alternatives. Try replacing butter with olive oil or sugar with honey.
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If you're bringing a dish to a friend or family member's house, make it a healthy one: fiber-filled, vitamin A-rich sweet potatoes are a strong choice, as long as you leave the marshmallow topping at home!
Photos: 9 tips to trim Thanksgiving calories
If you're bringing a dish to a friend or family member's house, make it a healthy one: fiber-filled, vitamin A-rich sweet potatoes are a strong choice, as long as you leave the marshmallow topping at home!
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Alcohol can flow freely during a holiday meal, but many beers have 150 to 200 calories per 12-ounce serving. Try skipping them in favor of a low-calorie beer or a "light" liquor. Or switch to a no-calorie soda or nonalcoholic beverage.
Photos: 9 tips to trim Thanksgiving calories
Alcohol can flow freely during a holiday meal, but many beers have 150 to 200 calories per 12-ounce serving. Try skipping them in favor of a low-calorie beer or a "light" liquor. Or switch to a no-calorie soda or nonalcoholic beverage.
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Stock your plate with some buffet "best bets": Fresh fruit, reduced-fat cheeses and turkey breast can help cut back on sodium, fat and calories. What's more, the USDA recommends filling half your plate with vegetables to fill you up on fiber before dessert even comes around.
Photos: 9 tips to trim Thanksgiving calories
Stock your plate with some buffet "best bets": Fresh fruit, reduced-fat cheeses and turkey breast can help cut back on sodium, fat and calories. What's more, the USDA recommends filling half your plate with vegetables to fill you up on fiber before dessert even comes around.
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Be on the lookout for anything that might have seen the inside of a deep fryer -- and avoid it. Frying, as a general rule, can add up to 90 calories per serving.
Photos: 9 tips to trim Thanksgiving calories
Be on the lookout for anything that might have seen the inside of a deep fryer -- and avoid it. Frying, as a general rule, can add up to 90 calories per serving.
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Put yourself at an advantage from the start by using smaller plates, which will mean smaller portions throughout the meal.
Photos: 9 tips to trim Thanksgiving calories
Put yourself at an advantage from the start by using smaller plates, which will mean smaller portions throughout the meal.
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