Regardless of what you might think, you don't have to abandon your low-cholesterol eating like an after-Thanksgiving turkey carcass.

But as with any meal, you could push your cholesterol way over your daily limit with just one Thanksgiving dinner, depending on how much you eat and what accompanies the bird on the plate.

A three-ounce portion of light, roasted turkey meat contains 73 milligrams of cholesterol. Add the skin and you're talking 81 milligrams of cholesterol. Go for the dark meat and you're up to 95 milligrams, nutritionists warn.

Add that to the 12 milligrams of cholesterol in a half-cup of mashed potatoes made with whole milk and butter, plus the 65 milligrams of a slice of homemade pumpkin pie, and, well, you get the picture.

And let's not even throw into the equation the calories and fat.

But these numbers don't mean you shouldn't enjoy a scrumptious Thanksgiving dinner with your family and friends. It all depends on making healthy choices, like you do at meals the other 364 days of the year.

Here are some tips to help you watch your cholesterol at Thanksgiving:

•  Roast the turkey with an herbed rub rather than butter;

•  Choose skinless light meat over dark meat;

•  Serve multiple side dishes of fruits, vegetables and whole grains;

•  Enjoy another serving of cranberry sauce or fruit salad rather than dive into a second helping of mashed potatoes swimming in gravy;

•  Use fruit-based desserts rather than traditional pumpkin pie. What about an apple cranberry tart or pear bread pudding?

Nubella's Thanksgiving tip: Find nearly 2,700 low-cholesterol creations in Nubella's 6,000-plus Recipe Database.

Nubella News, a division of Marketing Technology Solutions, Inc., offers content intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We encourage our readers to seek prompt medical care for health issues and consult their physicians before starting a new diet, fitness regimen, or medical treatment.