How Much Can Thanksgiving Dinner Impact Your Health?

We’re less than a week away from Thanksgiving!  If you’ve ever wondered how much that one big meal can impact your health, several doctors weighed in on the topic . . .

And here’s the good news:  For the average person, it’s very unlikely that one giant, unhealthy meal is going to negatively impact your long-term health.

(There are exceptions for people with serious conditions like congestive heart failure, where overeating foods high in saturated fat, sodium, or sugar could have a more severe impact.)

A little indigestion or heartburn might be uncomfortable, but it should pass relatively quickly with no lasting effects.

Some of the potentially more serious issues from Thanksgiving dinner can come from things like drinking excessive amounts of alcohol . . . or improper food handling practices.  So just be aware of that.

But it’s also worth taking into account the positive health effects of enjoying a celebratory meal with family and friends.  There’s plenty of research that links being social with positive health impacts.  And THAT’S what Thanksgiving should be about.

(Huff Post / The Healthy)