![\"thanksgiving](\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/thanksgiving-dinner.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nIn an effort to shake up the holiday, we’re taking on some of the most persistent myths about Thanksgiving. From sleep-inducing turkey to a\u00a0show-down of the spuds, here are some holiday “facts” that you may\u00a0want to get checked.<\/p>\n
Myth 1: Turkey makes you sleepy<\/strong><\/p>\n Want to take a nap after ingesting an enormous Thanksgiving dinner? It must be the tryptophan in the turkey<\/a><\/strong>! However, that’s not the case.\u00a0While turkey does contain tryptophan, and tryptophan does make people\u00a0sleepy, there’s not enough of it in your turkey dinner to have any\u00a0effect. More likely you’re sleepy because of holiday stress, alcohol\u00a0or the giant meal you just ate.<\/p>\n Myth 2: White meat is better than dark<\/strong><\/p>\n Dark turkey meat has more calories and fat than white meat. It also\u00a0has more vitamins and minerals<\/a><\/strong> per serving. Not only that, but because\u00a0of the higher fat content, it has a juicier flavor which makes for better-tasting leftovers.<\/p>\n Myth 3: Fresh pumpkin is better than canned<\/strong><\/p>\n Just because it’s canned doesn’t mean it’s bad. Cans of pureed pumpkin<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0from the grocery store are a better bet for bakers who want consistent\u00a0results from their baked goods. If we’re being completely honest, it also makes for better flavor. If you absolutely have to cook and bake with fresh, make sure to grab the sugar pumpkin variety. Others are mealy and watery, which makes for pretty poor pie.<\/p>\n Myth 4: The built-in thermometer is reliable<\/strong><\/p>\n You’re turkey has one of those built-in thermometers? That’s great if you want to overcook your bird. Most of those thermometers are\u00a0designed to pop once the interior temperature of the turkey reaches\u00a0180\u00b0. By the time it gets to that temperature, you should\u00a0expect a turkey to rival the Griswold\u2019s.<\/p>\n Myth 5: Drinking more can cure a hangover Myth 6: It’s safe to cook stuffing in your turkey<\/strong><\/p>\n First things first: stuffing and dressing are not the same. Dressing is baked outside of the turkey, and stuffing is, well, stuffed inside. It could also give you salmonella. Because the stuffing cooks in the turkey, it’s exposed to the bacteria in the raw meat. So for a safer\u00a0side dish, go with dressing. If you really want to, you can still\u00a0stuff it in the turkey after both are fully cooked. Either way, try our Sausage and Cranberry Stuffing<\/a><\/strong> our our Gluten-Free Stuffing<\/a><\/strong> recipes.<\/p>\n Myth 7: Sweet potatoes are healthier than white<\/strong><\/p>\n Everyone knows that sweet potatoes are better for you than white potatoes. Except for when they’re doused in butter, sugar and\u00a0marshmallows. While sweet potatoes pack a more potent nutritional punch, the white varieties are a great source of antioxidants as long as you don’t overdo it on the toppings like butter, sour cream and\u00a0bacon. Both sweet and white potatoes have their nutritional benefits, just watch the toppings (that’s why we put honey and thyme on our mashed sweet potatoes<\/a><\/strong>)<\/a>.<\/p>\n Myth 8: They ate turkey at the first Thanksgiving<\/strong><\/p>\n Everyone knows we eat turkey and potatoes on Thanksgiving because that’s what the Pilgrims and Native Americans did. How can that be a\u00a0Thanksgiving myth? Well, potatoes, sweet or white, weren’t a part of the English diet at the time. Turkey was available, but not likely the main course. Most likely they dined on venison and seasonal vegetables.<\/p>\n Also Read:<\/strong><\/p>\n Hungry or Bored: Is Your Eating Emotional or Essential?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The Ultimate Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipe Guide<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n 5 Largest Turkey Trot Races<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Thanksgiving is about as traditional as you can get. The holiday has\u00a0been around for centuries, and the celebration of it really hasn’t\u00a0changed much. Essentially, you gather family and friends around a\u00a0table, eat some turkey and slip in to a food-fueled … Continue reading
\n<\/strong>
\nWe’re the first to admit we enjoy a good drink, and many use the\u00a0holidays as a reason to imbibe. However, if you’ve overindulged, drinking more isn’t going to make you feel any better. Instead, grab a\u00a0glass of water and take a nap. Time and re-hydration are the only real\u00a0cure<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n