The Department of Health and Social Services is reminding Delawareans to get a healthy start to their holiday season by going easy on the stuffing this Thanksgiving.
Secretary Rita Landgraf says people should know what a serving is of each Thanksgiving food and stick to it, and consider skipping seconds.
And she recommends cooking with low-fat, low-sodium and low-calorie alternatives to common Thanksgiving ingredients.
"Turkey day ... is a time of blessings, and it is a time of thanks," Landgraf says. "What I would like to say is that people also remember after they have that wonderful meal that they get physically active."
She suggests starting new family traditions like a walk or run or game of flag football before cooking begins on Turkey Day, or the morning after.
Landgraf also says Delawareans should try to drink water instead of alcohol, and take care to avoid accidents in the kitchen -- like while deep-frying turkeys.
"I wish everybody a happy and a healthy Thanksgiving, but sometimes injuries do occur, and sometimes people become ill," she says. "So in order to stay healthy, you need that access to health care."
The state is encouraging everybody to sign up for health insurance on the federal marketplace, or to shop around for cheaper plans if they're currently enrolled.
The current open enrollment runs through the end of the year. We'll have more coverage in the coming weeks.
