We asked a nutritionist how to enjoy Thanksgiving without worrying about weight gain, and she gave us these 11 tips

Flickr/Selena N. B. H.

Thanksgiving, for many, is the one time each year to gorge on foods that are part of tradition and family memories.

But it can also be a time people link with weight gain and stress. If you're looking to enjoy Thanksgiving but also eat healthy, we have some advice. We turned to Lisa Sasson, a New York University nutrition professor who's helped us with healthy eating tips in the past.

Here's your guide to making the healthiest — but still delicious — choices on Thanksgiving Day.

Before you arrive, don't starve yourself.

It may seem like a good idea to save your appetite for the main event, but Sasson says it's important not to show up to the main Thanksgiving meal ravenous. When you're that hungry, your willpower tends to disappear, making it tough to avoid eating whatever's in sight.

Instead, Sasson suggested, eat a satisfying snack before heading over to Thanksgiving festivities. Nuts, cheese, yogurt, a salad with nuts or avocado, or eggs and toast are all good options for the morning before the meal.

To start, keep your appetizers light.

To counter getting stuffed on heavy appetizers, go for the lighter fare, such as fresh veggies, salads, chips and fresh salsa, or a vegetable-based soup like butternut squash soup.

Make sure your plate is colorful and full of veggies.

A good rule for filling up your plate at a buffet, says Sasson, is to keep it heavy on the vegetables. If you can, try to choose from an array of fresh, grilled, or roasted vegetables like beets, carrots, Brussels sprouts, or cauliflower. Turkey can also be a healthy part of the Thanksgiving meal, but opt for meat with no skin.