Healthy Holiday Table: Rice and Whole Grains - Dr. Weil's Weekend Tip

Healthy Holiday Table: Rice and Whole Grains - Dr. Weil's Weekend Tip

A healthy holiday table? Is that possible? Every year I carry a whopping large green salad to our get-together. Every year I wag most of it back home after being told "It's Thanksgiving. People eat the rich stuff."

So here's a good one from health guru Dr. Weil. Let's try healthier rice options and whole grains in recipes. I'm not sure it will totally help with my family, a group bearing a long history of taste buds favoring the fat and indulgent casseroles and desserts - - and often sport the gut to prove it.

Basmati and jasmine rice - - I've tried it and really like the flavor. Jasmine rice has a popcorn-like smell and taste. My teenaged crew also likes it - - a true taste test. Basmati has a nutty flavor that complements many other ingredients. And there's always wild rice, which is common, adding texture and flavor. All are both healthier choices than white rice. And yes, they are all a bit more expensive that white rice, but not unexpected as it's often less expensive to chose unhealthy highly processed food.

Couscous is a terrific tasting whole grain that has a unique warm flavor which I have used in the summer as ingredient for a black-eyed pea and tomato salad. Whole grains are not only healthier, they add fiber, and whose bowels couldn't use a little digestive boost on Thanksgiving?

So this year, rather than putting everyone on a diet at THE meal, I'll try sliding in a few healthier ingredients or side dishes across the table incognito. How about a few Calhoun County sweet potatoes in the cake? I'm not sure sweet potatoes will offset the three eggs and butter, but it can't hurt.