Trying to embark on a thinner Thanksgiving? That’s probably a good idea given the stats on holiday weight gain. There is no need to deviate from the traditional plan – turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, vegetables and dessert are all within your reach as long as you keep it simple.

Here’s the basic menu:

Turkey: Roasted – Can’t go wrong with roasting. Choose white meat for the leanest protein and use gravy sparingly.

Stuffing: Maximize nutrition by adding celery, onions, mushrooms, carrots, raisins and apples.

Yams: Roasted, boiled or sautéed they are delicious!

Cranberry sauce: Prepare with fresh cranberries and use the least amount of sugar possible to achieve sweetness.

Vegetables: Anything goes here; my family likes green beans

Dessert: Fresh fruit or a slice of pumpkin pie; keep it to one serving.

Remember, the only one who should be stuffed on Thanksgiving Day is your turkey…everyone else should consider themselves satisfied.