Thanksgiving can be a real deterrent to healthy eating, especially when every dish seems to include a stick of butter and Aunt Martha wonders why you haven't finished all the food on your plate. Don't you like her turkey stuffing? She slaved all day over it. You always were an ungrateful child.

Never fear. I am here to help with a list of ideas that focuses more on ways for you to gain control of your day rather than the usual tried-and-true eating techniques. But don't worry. At the end of the column, you'll find a short list of specific ways you can approach the food portion of the evening.

Now might be a good time to take a second and think about your Thanksgiving eating goals. Is it simply to get through the day without having stuffed yourself sick? Or is it about staying on a pre-existing eating program? In either case, it might be a good idea to sit down and formulate a plan. A list of "eating intentions" could spell out exactly what you intend to eat — even the expected number of calories of each dish.

I know it sounds boring. Maybe, to spice it up, you could call your plan "How to Attack the Turkey and Survive," which makes it sound more like an episode of 24. Jack Bauer will take out the pumpkin pie with a sniper rifle in 3 ... 2 ... 1.

So, without further ado, here are my ideas for getting through Thanksgiving Day:

* Make a point of telling everyone at the gathering that you are trying to eat nutritiously. Practice this speech: "Hi, Aunt Theresa. I'm trying to eat healthfully. How are you?" Most people will probably tell you they're attempting to do the same thing. Then you can form a gang, get a cool gang name like the Santa Fe Sharks, and size up the food spread together. No rumbles please.

* You can modify the above suggestion by finding a buddy — a close friend, relative or spouse who will also be at the dinner. Decide ahead of time how you are going to handle potential problems, especially tricky emotional triggers like when Uncle Larry starts teasing you about what a chubby kid you were. Then stick together during dinner and help each other through the tough times.

* Try a little of everything. Just a bite or two. But really savor each mouthful. You'll probably be full by the time you hit the Cranberry Surprise.

* Limit your time. Tell everyone from the beginning that you're only going to stay an hour. This can forestall the urge to fill up on seconds.

* Don't bring leftovers home.

* Host the meal at your house and ask guests to bring something healthy.

* Stay home. I don't know about you, but family get-togethers can sometimes suck the life out of me. Invent a very bad cold, kick back and rent Tropic Thunder. I'm giving you permission right here and right now to lie.

* Eat whatever you want Thanksgiving Day. Why not? Why do we have this all-or-nothing approach to weight loss and eating healthfully? So enjoy yourself tomorrow and get right back on that wagon on Friday. Of course, this method has its dangers. You might NOT get back on the wagon if you take a day off. So, figure out ahead of time exactly what you want to be eating come Friday. Then make sure it's in the fridge and ready to go.

A typical Thanksgiving dinner contains more than 3,000 calories — so there are those specific tips for eating less of it that I promised:

* Fill up on salad and vegetables.

* Don't eat the turkey skin.

* Visualize your stomach, which is about the size of two fists. If the food on your plate wouldn't fit in your stomach, put some back.

* Drink plenty of water. Water can help you feel fuller more quickly.

* No food item should take up more space on your plate than a deck of cards.

* Eat slowly.

* Use a dessert plate for your main meal.

And now, in a very uncharacteristic display of pure sappiness on my part, I'll say that this Thanksgiving I am most thankful for my readers.

Happy Turkey Day!

Did you know the 45 million turkeys are eaten each Thanksgiving? For more fun holiday facts, go to Christine's blog at etastesantafe.com.