A Dietitian's Defense of the Store-Bought Thanksgiving Dinner

Because I'm a dietitian, it might surprise some that my Thanksgiving spread doesn't involve toiling over a hot stove all day. Instead, I opt for a precooked meal — it's my culinary and mental sanity game-changer for the holiday season.

Yes, I've heard the whispers in the grocery aisles: "But isn't homemade healthier?" As professionals in the nutrition world, we dietitians often advocate for freshly prepared, wholesome meals. There's no denying that cooking from scratch allows for more control over ingredients and portion sizes. However, in my Thanksgiving experience, the portions I lost control of involved how much time I spent in the kitchen versus with my family. The latter was sorely lacking.

Once upon a time, in my earnest quest for the quintessential homemade Thanksgiving feast, I envisioned a picturesque dinner — one that could grace the pages of a lifestyle magazine, perhaps under Martha Stewart's careful curation. I embarked on an ambitious menu, thinking my years of advising others on nutrition would translate effortlessly into grand culinary feats. Spoiler alert: they did not.

My dishes were delicious (if I do say so myself). BUT . . .

I couldn't escape the kitchen. Between basting, sautéing, and wrestling with the monster-sized turkey, there was barely a moment to breathe, let alone enjoy the company of family and friends. Each minute spent cleaning up another dish was another minute missing out on stories from loved ones around the table. Sure, I got some help. But even with the extra hands, I felt like I totally missed out on the opportunity to catch up with people I rarely see.

And while everyone thanked me for a lovely evening and a delicious repast, my gut told me that the highlight of the evening was the company, not my perfectly seasoned 'taters.

That experience taught me something very important about Thanksgiving: it's not so much about creating the perfect meal as it is about creating wonderful memories. And for those of you thinking I'm overlooking food aesthetics, don't worry! I still manage to make my precooked offering look enticing. A sprinkle of fresh herbs here, a dash of paprika there, and voilà — a picture-perfect spread with significantly less hassle.

Now let's call a spade a spade. Picking up premade meals and opting for shortcuts does tend to result in dishes that are higher in fat, salt, and sugar, if those are elements you're keeping close tabs on for health reasons. But if not, when considering the bigger picture, isn't one day of indulgence a small price to pay for negating the anxiety of holiday meal preparations? My stress levels are much lower without the pressures of cooking an elaborate feast, and isn't that better for my overall health? After all, the essence of Thanksgiving lies in the joy and company of loved ones — and yes, indulgence, too.

In freeing myself from the kitchen chains, I find I don't have to worry about pulling off a Martha Stewart-level meal. Instead, I get to pour my energy into more important things, like catching up with relatives and lounging comfortably in a post-turkey-dinner haze as I strategize for Black Friday shopping.

So this year, if you're not finding joy in cooking your Thanksgiving meal, know that you're not alone. There's no rule book for how to celebrate this holiday, and you have my permission to do whatever is most meaningful to you — whether that's picking up a precooked bird, opting for a tofu-based "turkey," or forgoing the traditional meal altogether. For me, the holiday is about connections — not just those between flavor profiles, but those between family members. Picking up a precooked meal has done wonders in helping me rediscover what matters most. And I don't let the judgments of others affect how I choose to observe the fourth Thursday in November.

As for those wondering if you can taste the difference in my Thanksgiving, well, there's no scientific data to back this, but I'm pretty sure that joyous giggles make everything taste better. So, here's to you, my beloved, precooked Thanksgiving feast, and all the many, many years we will spend together.

Lauren Manaker (she/her) is an award-winning registered dietitian and freelance writer who is passionate about providing evidence-based nutrition information in a fun and interesting way. Lauren is a PS Council member.