Starting Fresh with Leftovers.

The day after Thanksgiving, or any big festive meal, is traditionally a time we all think about going on our next big diet. But with all of those leftovers still lurking in the fridge, who can consider healthful eating? In short, just about anyone. There are a couple of easy things anyone can do to put away the holiday leftovers without packing on the pounds.

• Make a whole sandwich. While piling the turkey between two slices, make sure to use whole grain bread. Whole grains have vitamins and minerals and plenty of fiber to keep you filled up and satisfied so that you’re not picking your way through the fridge the rest of the afternoon.
• Bank on greens. When planning for your meal, stock up on an extra head or two of your favorite lettuce. (Bagged lettuce mixes are great two.) Then, bulk up your plate with a bed of greens, then top with different combinations of leftovers to create satisfying salads that have a fraction of the calories of another plate of leftovers alone. This Roasted Vegetable Salad can be prepared with a variety of veggies typical to the Turkey Day meal.
• Simmer down. Add chicken stock or turkey stock to leftover meats and vegetables to create healthy stews and flavorful soups. Stocks and broths can extend your meal without adding an excess of saturated fat. Add chunks of cooked turkey to this Colombian Barley Vegetable Soup for a hearty, but healthy change.