Runners, Here's What You Can Eat This Thanksgiving

Written by
Jackie Veling
Thanksgiving Day only happens once a year, but why not suck all the fun out of it with a list of pre-approved foods you're "allowed" to eat?

We have such a list right here, and we feel strongly it's the only one you should pay attention to this season.
Stuffing
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They call it stuffing for a reason; packed with cubed bread, it's usually a "carbohydrate nightmare" and sure to leave you extra full—which is all the more reason to dig in come Thanksgiving, the designated Day of Eating. We hear runners need extra carbs anyway.
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Turkey and/or Ham
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Should you skip the traditional turkey or ham for a lower-fat chicken breast or (gasp) a marinated block of tofu? Absolutely not. Why? Because you don't hate yourself. There might be healthier alternatives, but why not save them for...literally any other day of the year.
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Candied Yams
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Sweet potatoes are chock-full of nutrients. Marshmallows are chock-full of happiness. That sounds like a recipe you don't want to miss.
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Green Bean Casserole
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This casserole has not one, not two, but three vegetables in it: green beans, mushrooms and onions. Are the mushrooms from a can of condensed soup? Perhaps! Are the onions fried within an inch of their life? It's possible! But we're not here to ask questions.
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Dinner Rolls/Cornbread/Biscuits
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Everyone knows the bread basket is where the party is come Thanksgiving Day. You could eat every other dish on the table, but if you can't have bread, you'll probably feel deprived, which is why this is a definite must-eat.
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Gravy
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If there is even a single inch of open space on your plate, fill it with gravy. That's all we're going to say about that.
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Mashed Potatoes
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There are plenty of alternatives to basic mashed potatoes, including mashed cauliflower, which is having quite a moment right now. But we like to live in a world where no vegetable is better than the other, so why not choose the one that actually tastes like something.
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Every Type of Pie Imaginable
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Pumpkin pie, pecan pie, apple pie—there are so many delicious pies associated with Thanksgiving. You should probably take full advantage of them to, you know, get your daily fruit and nut intake in.
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Jokes Aside...
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Of course, we know some people have strong dietary needs or nutrition preferences come Thanksgiving Day, which is why you'll find tons of resources on our site like Healthier Versions of Your Favorite Thanksgiving Dishes or The Healthiest Things You Can Buy at the Grocery Store. But if you'd like permission to simply eat what you enjoy for one day and leave the lists of off-limit foods behind, this is it. Happy Thanksgiving!
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