I consider Thanksgiving to be one of my favorite holidays.

Each year the sight of family members stumbling into my aunt's house, drunk, after tailgating at the annual Turkey Day high school football game fills my heart with joy.

It is then I realize that things will never change, as we will always come home for Thanksgiving, not only because we love our friends and family, but because we also really need to sober up.

With that said, you can assume most of my family members aren't the healthiest eaters.

And you are right, which is why I am always prepared to give family and friends advice on how to stay healthy over the holidays.

You can top vegetables with butter spray (Parkay, I Can't Believe It's Not Butter) or dill flavoring instead of artery-clogging butter.

If you are an anti-veggie eater, try adding spices to give more flavor to the entrée.

Watch your liquids. You might have just spent Thanksgiving eve getting hammered with your friends from home or tailgated with your family. Alcohol and liquids other than water, coffee and diet soda add calories to your diet. Opt for water at Thanksgiving dinner. It will also help digest all the foods you'll be eating.

Don't skip meals before Thanksgiving dinner. Fasting days or hours before a meal can cause you to overindulge, leaving a regretful feeling and discomfort within the gastrointestinal tract. And I think we all know that no one likes a friend or family member with a bad GI tract.

Start off as a rabbit. By stuffing your face with a leafy green salad at the beginning of the meal, you will want to eat less because the fiber in vegetables causes you to feel more full because of its "bulk." Consuming fiber-rich foods (fruits and vegetables) decreases the likelihood of over-consumption.

Be helpful. Mop the floor, help prepare the food or do the dishes after dinner. Increasing your activity will increase the amount of calories you burn throughout the day. Plus, your relatives will probably appreciate you giving them a hand on such a busy day.

Go play. If you like to spend quality time after dinner with the ones you love, get moving. Play with the kids outside. Start up a game of football or 3-on-3 basketball in the driveway -- these are great distractions from the dinner table, not to mention a great way to bond with the family (one of the most important aspects of this holiday).

Remember that if you overindulge, it isn't the end of the world. If you happen to eat more than you had anticipated, don't feel like you cannot get back on track. One large meal does not mean you are doomed to be overweight or out of shape.

Remember that 3,500 calories equal one pound of body fat.

Just take it upon yourself to remain active during the days following Thanksgiving, and increase the amount of water, fruits and vegetables in your daily diet.

You might have noticed I didn't bash certain foods or tell you to stay away from bread, pies and creamed corn.

The point of good nutrition is to eat everything in moderation and to appreciate the flavor and taste of the foods consumed. If you want a slice of Grandma's pecan pie, go for it.

We college students are all smart cookies -- I think we all have the ability to use good judgment.

Enjoy stuffing yourselves!