Thanksgiving is one of of our favorite holidays. To help you appreciate and enjoy your meal, here is a little cheat sheet on why Thanksgiving is truly a SuperFoodsRx holiday. And if you need any recipes, be sure to check the SuperFoodsRx books for lots of tasty ideas.

Turkey: Skinless turkey breast is one of the leanest meat protein sources and it's also rich in SuperFood nutrients including niacin, selenium, zinc and vitamins B6 and B12Sweet Potatoes: These are an excellent source of those important carotenoids we're always talking about here at SuperFoodsRx. Carotenoids help protect us from free radicals, modulate our immune response, and enhance cell-to-cell communication. Carotenoids also play a major role in protecting the skin and eyes form the damaging effects of ultraviolet light. In many studies, the regular consumption of foods rich in carotenoids, like sweet potatoes, has been shown to help decrease the risk of getting certain cancers, including lung, colon, bladder, cervical, breast and skin. In the landmark Nurses' Health Study, women with the highest concentrations of carotenes in their regular diet had the lowest risk of breast cancer.

Cranberries: These bright red berries contain some of the highest levels of phenols in commonly eaten fruits. One study at Cornell University found that cranberries were the fruit richest in phenolics. Fresh cranberries are harvested in the fall and are usually only available through December. Grab a few extra bags and put them in the freezer. They'll keep for almost a year.

Pumpkin: This fruit (Yes, it really is a fruit.) is extremely high in fiber and low in calories. It also contains an abundance of health enhancing nutrients, including potassium, pantothenic acid, magnesium, vitamins C and E, and a very high amount of carotenoids. And don't forget, canned pumpkin is as nutritious as fresh pumpkin.

Brussels Sprouts: These cruciferous sprouts, along with broccoli and cabbage, can help with cognitive abilities and may lower the risk of getting certain diseases. One recent study found that as little as 10 grams a day of crucifers like Brussels sprouts could have a significant effect on the risk for developing cancer. Another study showed that eating two servings of crucifers may result in as much as a 50 percent reduction in the risk for certain types of cancers.

Thanksgiving dinner can be a healthy, nutritious meal. Include some of the traditional foods we've written about and remember, everything in moderation!