Last week we talked about a couple of tips that will help you keep your Thanksgiving dinner healthy. This week I’d like to talk about a couple more health tips for your Thanksgiving dinner.
Tip No. 1: Pay Attention to Temperatures
While turkey is a very healthy source of lean protein, it has a loose muscle structure that is very vulnerable to bacterial and viral growth. This means that you have to be extra careful when handling raw turkey and when preparing the turkey for serving. To start with have anti-bacterial cleaners on hand to scrub up after your turkey. Remember to scrub down the refrigerator in the section where the turkey was kept. Also use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your turkey to ensure it is cooked all the way through. Finally, don’t let your turkey set out on the table too long. Keep the meat covered as much as possible while it is on the table and put leftovers in a zip locked bag and place it in the refrigerator as soon as possible.
Tip No. 2: Be Careful When Taking Out Your Garbage
One of the leading causes of claims on long term care insurance policies is slips and falls. During the Thanksgiving holiday there are many things that can cause a slip or fall. First of all grease from your turkey can leak out of your garbage bag and create a slippery surface in your kitchen. Next, Thanksgiving is traditionally one of the first weeks where icy or snowy weather develops leading to slippery sidewalks. To keep yourself safe, and to keep your guests safe, be aware of your surroundings and look for potential slip hazards.