While Thanksgiving is centered around delighting in spending time with your loved ones and eating delicious food, with this year's celebration strictly limited due to increased COVID infection spread, the holiday will be even more focused on food alone ... and that can be hazardous to your diet. If you're trying to get pregnant, this is an especially important time to maintain your healthy fertility eating plan.

Even though Thanksgiving dinner is notoriously high in calories, fat, and sugar, it doesn’t have to be. By focusing on foods that are beneficial for your fertility (such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and full-fat dairy products) there are many things you can do to make your holiday meal healthier.

Skip the carbohydrate-rich sides

There’s no need to eat huge servings of stuffing, mashed potatoes, and sweet potatoes. Pick one and skip the rest, or only eat a tablespoon or two of each.

Eat your veggies

Fill your plate with the vegetable side dishes – green beans, corn, turnips, peas – there’s no harm in eating all of them, just skip the extra butter and salt. Aim to fill half of your plate with vegetables.

Pick white meat instead of dark

White turkey meat is lower in fat and calories than the dark pieces. Turkey is one of the healthier lean meats and when eaten in moderation, will help fill you up.

Be mindful of fat and sugar

Cranberry sauce can seem like it’s a good option because it’s predominantly made of fruit, but both the canned and homemade are made with a ton of sugar. Gravy is also another side that you should be mindful of. It may not seem like a big deal when you just spoon some over your turkey or potatoes, but the servings (and fat and calories!) add up quickly – use a measuring spoon if you’re not sure of how much you’re using.

Dessert can be a big problem

Instead of eating dessert there, try bringing a slice of your favorite home to eat the next day. If you’re hosting dinner, send portions home with your guests so you don’t keep the leftovers in your house.

Check your alcohol consumption

A glass of wine is okay, but don’t get carried away and drink the whole bottle. Not only are there a lot of calories in alcoholic beverages, but you shouldn’t be drinking heavily in case you might be pregnant.

Drink eight glasses of water

Make sure to drink a lot of water throughout the day. You’ll stay hydrated, and drinking a lot of water can help keep you feeling full and wanting to eat less.

Eat a large salad before going to dinner

This way, you won’t fill up on snacks and appetizers that are often high in calories. Stick to the vegetable plate or shrimp cocktail if you are still feeling hungry.

Don’t forget to exercise!

Make sure to get in your workout that morning; it’ll boost your metabolism and help you burn calories all day long.