Well, it is the day before Thanksgiving and if you watch the chatter on twitter, or your friends’ updates on facebook, you will undoubtedly see posts about food. People are cooking. People are looking forward to eating. People are looking forward to eating but worried about gaining weight. (I am one of the fortunate people that will be doing all three.)

In the food world, there is a buzz now about “clean foods” and that idea goes beyond buying organic – it refers to the preparation of foods and how they are served and presented. We Americans tend to take good things to an extreme – not all things must be fried or covered in gravy or sauces to have a wonderful flavor. With that line of thinking in mind, I wanted to share with you a short list of five Thanksgiving foods that are actually good for you.

So, enjoy great food, time with family and have a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow!

1) Turkey - Turkey is a wonderful source of protein – in simple form. When you deep fry it and slather it with gravy is when it becomes a poor choice. Sarah Krieger, RD, National Spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, points out that a serving of turkey provides almost half of the recommended daily allowance of folic acid and is a good source of vitamin B, zinc, and potassium. These nutrients have been found to keep blood cholesterol down, protect against cancer and heart disease, and boost the immune system (not bad for an old bird). A normal portion size is usually 3 to 4 ounces – think of the size of a deck of cards. Stick to white meat and peel the skin off, you’ll literally save hundreds of calories at the Thanksgiving table. Turkey is also one of those dieter’s dream foods that will fill you up when you eat just a little.

2) Pecans – Stay away from the pie, instead, sprinkle pecans over salads, add it to your stuffing, or snack on a few as a precursor to the meal. Pecans are a great source of vitamin E and magnesium, which supports muscle strength. Plus, they’re packed with protein, fiber, and the same “good” fats as olive oil. Toasting them for a few minutes in the oven will really bring out the flavor – and aroma.

3) Pumpkin – If for you it isn’t Thanksgiving without a slice of pumpkin pie, here’s some good news. Pumpkin is packed with heart-healthy fiber and vitamin A. Plus, because pumpkin is very moist, you don’t have to add lots of unhealthy ingredients to make it taste flavorful yet still be low-fat (sub in skim and egg substitutes to make any recipe healthier).

4) Cranberries – Millions of us will reach for cranberry sauce tomorrow to garnish our turkey and stuffing, but, you are really getting your money’s worth with this berry. Cranberries are loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants and their fiber content helps lower “bad” cholesterol levels. Just keep it simple and “clean” stay away from added sweetener. Try adding a sugar substitute like Splenda to keep this side dish healthy.

5) Sweet Potatoes – I’ve never met a potato I didn’t like, and sweet potatoes are no exception. If you agree, sweet potatoes are among the healthiest vegetables around — as long as they are not doused with butter, marshmallows, or some other high-calorie holiday sabotage. When roasted, sweet potatoes keep the flavor very intense without adding fat. These vegetables are bursting with fiber, vitamin A, potassium, and phytochemicals, which stave off aging, cancer, and arthritis. Plus, they’re very filling, so you don’t have to overload your plate with them.