Because I’m a dietitian, this might surprise you some that my Thanksgiving has spread doesn’t involve working hard all day on a hot stove. Instead, I opt for a pre-cooked meal – it’s my culinary choice And mental health is a game changer for the holiday season.

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

Once upon a time, in my sincere pursuit of the ultimate homemade Thanksgiving feast, I imagined a quaint dinner – one that might grace the pages of a lifestyle magazine, perhaps under Martha’s careful direction Stewart. I embarked on an ambitious menu, thinking that my years of advising others on nutrition would effortlessly translate into great culinary feats. Spoiler alert: they didn’t.

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

I couldn’t escape the kitchen. Between watering, jumping and fighting with the monster sized turkeythere was barely a moment to breathe, let alone enjoy the company of family and friends. Every minute passed clean another dish It was another minute of missing the stories of our loved ones around the table. Of course I got help. But even with those extra hands, I felt like I was totally missing out on the opportunity to catch up with people I rarely see.

And while everyone thanked me for a lovely evening and a delicious meal, my instincts told me that the highlight of the evening was the company, not my perfectly seasoned tater tots.

This 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 who think I’m neglecting food aesthetics, don’t worry! I always manage to make my pre-cooked offering appealing. A pinch of fresh herbs here, a sprinkle of paprika there, and voilà: a perfect spread with a lot less hassle.

Now let’s call a spade a spade. Choosing convenience foods and opting for shortcuts tends to result in dishes higher in fat, salt and sugar, if those are things you’re monitoring closely for health reasons. But if not, looking at the bigger picture, isn’t a day of fun a small price to pay for negating the anxiety that comes with preparing holiday meals? My stress levels are much lower without the pressure of preparing an elaborate feast, and isn’t that better for my overall health? After all, the essence of Thanksgiving is joy and the companionship of loved ones – and yes, indulgence too.

By freeing myself from the shackles of the kitchen, I find that I don’t have to worry about preparing a Martha Stewart-level meal. Instead, I can focus my energy on more important things, like catching up with loved ones and comfortably basking in the post-turkey dinner haze while I strategize for Black Friday shopping.

So this year, if you’re not finding joy in preparing your Thanksgiving meal, know that you’re not alone. There are no rules for how to celebrate this holiday, and you have my permission to do what is most meaningful to you – whether that’s picking up a pre-cooked bird, opting for a “turkey” made from tofu or forgo the traditional meal altogether. For me, the holidays are about bonding, not just between flavor profiles, but also between family members. Eating a pre-cooked 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 on my Thanksgiving, well, there’s no scientific data to back that up, but I’m pretty sure that happy laughter makes everything taste better. So here’s to you, my beloved, pre-cooked Thanksgiving feast, and all the many, many years we will spend together.

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