How To Enjoy Turkey Day...While Avoiding Tummy Trouble
DENVER (CBS4) -One of the best things about a big Thanksgiving dinner is that it's a meal that gets to be eaten over and over for days.
But it's always a good idea to get it right the first time—that way you not only get to enjoy the meal(s), but also avoid the tummy troubles that tend to spike once we hit the holiday season.
Food poisoning is a huge issue from now until January, most of it of our own doing. So following some simple steps may cut your risk of spending more time in the bathroom than you do with your loved ones. By now, you should have gone through all of the thawing part and are ready to chop, cut, and cook.
The guidelines are simple:
Lots of handwashing. Every time you move from one step in the cooking process or one food to another, it's time to scrub your hands with soapy water for at least 20-30 seconds.
Wash down the sinks, countertops, and surfaces frequently, especially if you decided to rinse the uncooked turkey before cooking (a step that really isn't necessary.)
Make sure you never let raw, uncooked foods come in contact with plates, platters, and utensils that will be used for other foods—cross contamination can be a huge problem.
Heat the turkey to at least 165 degrees in its thickest parts, meaning you should be using a food thermometer. Don't rely on those built-in pop-up thingers that tend to boing up too early or too late in the cooking process.
Now for after the meal:
Don't let food sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.That's the point when germs can really multiply. I know you're stuffed more than the turkey was, and can't budge away from the table—but get up and put your leftovers away.
When storing leftovers, use shallow—about 2 inches deep—containers so foods cool down quickly in the fridge.
And don't stack the containers on top of each other— that can make the cool down a little uneven.
Then comes the million dollar question: how many days can you enjoy the leftovers? Properly stored, about 3-4 days max.
Simple tips for one of the more pleasant meals of the year. Eat well, eat hearty, and eat healthy. And don't sweat the calories for one day— life is meant to be enjoyed…as is your family and loved ones on this special day.
Happy Thanksgiving to one and all.
Dr. Dave Hnida is CBS4's Medical Editor. He blogs about the latest studies and trends in the health world. Read his latest blog entries, check out his bio or follow him on Twitter @drdavehnida
