Campus Commons PT - November 2018

THE MOST UNDERRATED THANKSGIVING FOODS 4 DISHES YOUR TABLE NEEDS

BRUSSELS SPROUTS These tiny greens often get overlooked during Thanksgiving, but with the right accompaniment, they can make for an extremely tasty and nutritious dish. For example, try roasting halved Brussels sprouts with dried cranberries and bacon, drizzled with a raspberry balsamic vinaigrette. SAUSAGE Put a creative spin on your traditional Thanksgiving dishes and try using sausage in the stuffing. An Italian sausage, for instance, adds a kick of flavor to any stuffing, homemade or from the box. You can also experiment with other kinds of sausage to find the flavors that best complement your stuffing. Use a sweet sausage when you need something to pair with a stuffing that incorporates apples. CRANBERRY SAUCE This Thanksgiving staple rarely gets the attention it deserves. While it’s easy to buy a can of cranberry sauce, you do your guests a culinary disservice by going this

When you think of Thanksgiving food, the first dishes that pop into your mind are probably turkey, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole. They’re a part of nearly every Thanksgiving meal. And while these delicious foods are something you don’t want to skip, there are dishes your table is sorely missing — dishes that don’t get the respect they truly deserve. This Thanksgiving, why not take a look at a few other options? SOUP This is one dish that rarely hits the Thanksgiving table. But try a butternut squash or broccoli cheddar soup and you’ll be surprised just how “at home” it feels among the rest of your spread. It’s perfect to serve ahead of the main course, as the final touches are put on the turkey, or when the green bean casserole needs a few more minutes in the oven.

route. Instead, make your own cranberry sauce. There are many recipes online, and all you need are some fresh or frozen cranberries, orange juice, and sugar to make the best cranberry sauce of your life.

IS THIS FOOD GROUP SLOWING YOUR RECOVERY? NIGHTSHADES AND INFLAMMATION

DO THE PROS OUTWEIGH THE CONS?

A recent trend in health and wellness that has sparked a lot of debate revolves around whether or not the family of plants known as “nightshades” causes inflammation. Peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants are all part of the nightshade family. Many dietitians have become wary of recommending these foods because of information circulating about alkaloids and solanine — naturally occurring chemicals — and their negative effects on swelling. Since much of physical therapy revolves around controlling inflammation and these foods are ingredients in many Thanksgiving dishes, it’s important to question the validity of such a statement. The information behind this assertion is mostly anecdotal, and the data to back it up is lacking. In fact, studies suggest that many properties of nightshades actually reduce inflammation. A 2011 study done in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine found that tomatoes provide “anti-inflammatory functions.” A 2015 study in Food and Agricultural Immunology showed that eggplant could be a beneficial “anti- inflammatory agent or dietary supplement.” DO NIGHTSHADES CAUSE INFLAMMATION?

For most, the benefits of these foods greatly outweigh any risk associated with

inflammation. Nightshades are a great source of vital vitamins and minerals that many other foods fail to provide. Peppers are known to provide relief by reducing pain transmitters in your body. Potatoes are nutritionally dense and assist with blood sugar control. Tomatoes may boost your immune system, help prevent heart disease, and even limit some types of cancer. If you’re concerned about inflammation stemming from your diet and suspect nightshades could be the cause, try eliminating them to see how it affects you. Stop eating nightshades for two weeks, and check your symptoms. Then add them back into your diet to see if swelling or arthritic pain re-emerges or worsens. Another great option is to get your food allergies tested. This will help a great deal in determining which foods in your diet actually cause inflammation.

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