Planning a trendy Thanksgiving? Heed these safety measures

THE WOODLANDS, TX – A whopping 97% of Internet users report being inspired to try a new recipe they first saw on social media, according to Chicory’s “2023 State of Online Recipes Report.” As many home cooks try new trends, ingredients and techniques in their quest for holiday culinary triumph, they may encounter unexpected risks to health and safety in the kitchen.

“New twists on old traditions are fun but can have unintended consequences if you’re not careful,” says Alden Fedke, a lead nurse practitioner at Memorial Hermann-GoHealth Urgent Care. “If you’re planning a trendy Thanksgiving, take some time to learn about how to ensure you stay safe.”

Fedke shared some of the top trends for Thanksgiving 2024 and tips for making memories, not mistakes.

1. TikTok comfort foods: Cheesy sides are all the rage with a combined 17 million views for these macaroni and cheese and au gratin potatoes dishes, among the most-watched Thanksgiving food videos on TikTok. The dishes may be popular, but be cautious about too much of a good thing. An excess of fatty, fried or processed foods can lead to bloating, constipation or diarrhea. To avoid post-meal regrets, eat smaller portions more slowly while doubling up on dishes with fiber, like Brussels sprouts or green beans.
2. Dry-brined turkey. Google searches for dry-brined turkey have more than doubled over the last five years as home cooks try to improve the bird’s flavor and moisture. To save room in your refrigerator, you may be tempted to store the turkey in a cooler. Don’t. You can’t be certain your cooler will maintain the appropriate temperature. The safest approach is to store the turkey on the bottom shelf of your fridge where accidental leaks can’t contaminate food below. If you need more refrigerator space, consider using the cooler for beverages like sodas, sparkling waters, beer and wine.
3. Air fryer boom. You can make everything from a turkey to pasta to a perfect pumpkin pie in an air fryer. No wonder the small appliance has surged in popularity in recent years, topping $1 billion in sales in 2022 and expected to double by 2032. Remember, though, the outside of air fryers can also get hotter than 176 degrees which can cause burns in less than a second. So, be sure to always use oven mitts or heat-proof gloves, leave space around hot appliances and keep them out of reach of kids and pets until cool. If you do get a burn, run your injury under lukewarm (not cold) water for 10 to 15 minutes. Seek medical help if the burn is larger than 1 to 2 inches, is in a sensitive area or leaves skin white, brown, leathery or shiny.
4. A plant-based Thanksgiving. Nearly 50% of consumers no longer eat meat or report that they’re reducing meat consumption. If you’re replacing meat with a plant-based alternative, be as cautious as if you’re handling meat. Many plant-based meat options can harbor high levels of foodborne pathogens and should be handled just like raw ground beef, according to the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service. Like animal proteins, follow the four Cs of food safety: Cook (160 degrees), Clean, don’t Cross contaminate, and Chill.
5. Mocktail mania. Here’s a trend that we can associate with much more good than harm. Sales of non-alcoholic beer, wine and liquor increased by 32% from 2022 to 2023, while total alcohol sales grew by just 1%. Consider replacing at least one of your celebratory drinks with one of the new non-alcoholic options on the market. You’ll decrease your risk for anxiety, depression, alcohol-related accidents and, of course, a hangover.

“Even the best-laid plans can go wrong, so please know we’re here for you,” says Fedke. “Accidents don’t take holidays, and neither do we.”

Memorial Hermann-GoHealth operates 33 conveniently located centers across the Greater Houston area, so you don’t have to travel far to be seen by a great provider if an illness or injury does occur. Because Memorial Hermann-GoHealth is integrated with Memorial Hermann, referrals to specialists are seamless when necessary. For more information, visit www.gohealthuc.com/memorialhermann.