Sugar and Gluten have been proven to contribute to health problems. On Thanksgiving, the biggest food holiday of the year, how do you limit your intake of these ingredients that are generally plentiful but for which we don't give thanks?
Thanksgiving is a holiday where joyous Americans give thanks for their bounty, but doctors warn that health problems could be lurking in the sugar and gluten that may be plentiful on our dinner tables. But don't cut them out completely, doctors recommend.
Sugar has been proven to be a factor in many killer diseases including cancer and diabetes, according to Science Daily, and while we may not be able to completely eliminate it, there are ways to cut down.
Stick to foods with a low glycemic index to keep blood sugar levels steady. Cutting back on certain types of carbohydrates is important, according to WebMD.
Foods with undesirable carbohydrates and high glycemic index include white bread, white potatoes, and white rice. Substitute brown rice and whole-grain pasta and breads at Thanksgiving. Try mashed sweet potatoes which are naturally low in sugar and gluten-free.
Regarding alcoholic beverages, WebMD recommends heart-healthy red wine over liquor and for dessert consider putting sugar-free ice cream on your pumpkin pie that is made with NutraSweet and whole-grain flour. Or hit the fruit bowl instead of cake or pie.
Meanwhile, a new study has emerged indicating going completely gluten-free may actually backfire. While going completely gluten-free is a must for those suffering from Celiac's disease who exhibit a true sensitivity to the protein, it has been deemed "too restrictive" for many.
Alessio Fasano, M.D., director of the Center for Celiac Research at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston said by eliminating gluten completely you may be doing damage, according to Consumer Reports.
"When you cut out gluten completely, you can cut out foods that have valuable nutrients and you may end up adding more calories and fat into your diet," he said.
So in order to enjoy Thanksgiving, skip the gluten-free and stick to quinoa, millet, and, legumes and nuts
And don't forget the Turkey.
