The eight commandments of Thanksgiving dinner

We're rapidly approaching the Modern Gal's favorite holiday. I mean who can beat a celebration of food, football and consumer gluttony?

But, I suppose it would be responsible to preach moderation, so the following are some abridged tips from one of my favorite food blogs, Hungry Girl, on how (with apologies to the Sex in the City writers) to grab Thanksgiving by the balls and say, 'Hey Thanksgiving, I'm trying to not gain too much weight today."
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1. Eat breakfast and a protein-packed lunch before the big feast. If you starve yourself during the day, you could wind up so hungry by the time you sit down at the dinner table that you gobble up way too much food.

2. Go for lean, white meat turkey to get the most bang for your calorie-buck. Dark meat has about 15% more calories and 30 - 40% more fat than light meat. And ditch the skin while you're at it (that's where most of the fat hangs out).

3. Drink plenty of H2O throughout the day and during the big meal. It'll keep you hydrated and clear-minded (so you'll be less likely to make bad food choices), and it'll help fill you up faster.

4. Treat yourself to small portions of the seasonal side dishes and desserts you've been craving all year long. If you deprive yourself, you could end up raiding the fridge in the middle of the night.

5. Start with a salad and/or some soup. Then fill your plate mostly with healthy sides and lots of lean meat. Chances are you'll be pretty satisfied and full by the time dessert is served.

6. Bring along a tasty guilt-free dish, so you know you'll have at least one thing you can splurge on.

7. Burn calories, not the turkey. Remember, the more calories you torch with activity, the more you can consume without gaining weight come Turkey Day.

8. Wear your favorite form-fitting clothes and you'll be way less likely to overeat.