Should You Stuff Your Turkey This Thanksgiving?

If you're a fan of stuffing your turkey this Thanksgiving, you should think twice according to health experts. For most of us, it's how we grew up, but now there's growing concern that it should be left in the past.

Let's face it, turkey stuffing is one of the favorite parts of any Thanksgiving dinner. It ranks right up there with all the best sides like, mashed potato, squash, turnip and let's not forget green bean casserole. We love our stuffing and if you have ever had it straight from the turkey, then you know how good it can be.

Now we have to ask, is it worth it?

From the Martha Stewart website: Despite the benefits of stuffing a turkey, it's not a safe practice, says  Kimberly Baker, PhD, RD, LD, director of the food systems and safety program team at Clemson University Extension Service. That's because the turkey and stuffing might cook at different rates, often leaving the stuffing uncooked and unsafe to eat by the time the turkey is ready. Both the turkey and stuffing need to reach a minimal internal temperature of 165°F in order for harmful pathogens in the stuffing to be killed, explains Baker. However, if the turkey reaches the required 165°F before the stuffing, you'll be left with "a turkey cooked to perfection and undercooked stuffing," she says. In other words, the stuffing will still contain those illness-causing pathogens.

As the stuffing remains under 165°F, the pathogens will continue to multiply and grow. Specifically, they grow best between 40 to 135°F, a temperature range known as the temperature danger zone. Pathogens grow even faster at the higher end of the zone, which is 70 to 135°F, says Baker.

It’s best to take all of this with a grain of salt and make your own decision based on your family’s preferences. As far as most of us are concerned, Thanksgiving is not the same without delicious homemade stuffing.

'Tis the season to eat a lot of turkey! The weather is getting colder, and the winter holidays are slowly approaching, but first up is the most delicious holiday, Thanksgiving. It's a time to reunite with family and friends to gather around the table and enjoy a homecooked meal together.

Imagine this... It's a chilly Thursday morning, and you wake up to do one of three things. You are either staying in your jammies, brewing a cup of coffee, and plopping on the couch to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Or maybe you're throwing on your sneakers to run a Turkey Day marathon, or maybe you're the GOAT of the day, the Thanksgiving chef. But whichever person you are on the morning of Thanksgiving, you all gather around the table for an incredible meal. There is one exception: if you are not the Thanksgiving Day chef, you should be the Thanksgiving Day dishwasher. It's polite to whoever cooked the meal you've been looking forward to all year.

Of course, turkey is the star of the holiday, and taking on the responsibility of cooking the bird is a big deal. But, we all know the sides are the best part of the Thanksgiving dish. Everyone has their favorite side that they look forward to most, but have you ever wondered what your favorite side dish says about you? If so, or even if not, I have you covered! Share this with your guests at this year's holiday for a fun conversation at the dinner table.

So, at this year's Thanksgiving holiday dinner, you can say, "Grandma, you are such a mashed potato!" Please don't call your beloved grandmother a potato without her first reading this article. Happy holidays!

Find out what your favorite Thanksgiving side dish says about you! 

If your favorite side dish is mac and cheese, you don't take your time with your family for granted. You appreciate the small things in life and the memories you've created. Your first taste of mac and cheese was when you were a child, and you still remember how your face lit up after that first bit. You're a nostalgic person that wants to capture every moment.

Your fondness for corn as your favorite Thanksgiving dish suggests that you have a cheerful and optimistic outlook on life. You're down to earth, and you prefer the simplicity in life. You don't need anything too fancy schmancy. The vibrant color of corn on your rather muted plate is how others perceive you, as the shining light in their lives.

You're a warm and welcoming person. On the outside, green bean casserole sounds like an unappealing dish because its main ingredient is a veggie. Right? Wrong! You are a person who doesn't judge a book by its cover. You find the beauty in others and are always willing to invite them in and give them a chance.

If your favorite side dish is Brussels Sprouts at Thanksgiving, then you plan on ruining the delicious smell of turkey with the atrocious odor of those green, slimy, tiny cabbages. I specifically hope that if you prefer to fill more than a third of your plate with the sprouts, you bring them yourself. (It's even worse if you prefer them boiled over baked.) This Thanksgiving dinner, please try some mashed potatoes or stuffing. It will change your whole outlook on life.

If your favorite side dish at Thanksgiving is mashed potatoes, then you're a person who loves comfort. You find solace in familiar things. Mashed potatoes are a classic staple on your holiday dish, this says that you are someone who values family and tradition.

If you prefer this unique combination on your Thanksgiving dinner plate, you are a creative and imaginative person. You love to try new things, even if they're not guaranteed to work. You are an adventurer with a sweet tooth, and it's what your friends and family love most about you.

Congratulations, you are among the few who prefer this side on your Thanksgiving plate. You are independent and make your own decisions, despite what others might say. Cranberry jelly is the metaphor for "take me as I am." You also live by the mantra, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Jail. If you decide that all you want on your plate at Thanksgiving dinner is a slice of turkey... Ok, maybe jail is a bit much. But go sit in the corner! This meal was built on its sides, so to not include any is unacceptable. For the sake of your friends and family, please throw some corn and mashed potatoes on your plate this holiday.

You have a big heart! There are lots of ways to make stuffing and each way is delicious. If you like to load up on the stuffing during the holiday, not only do you have great taste, but you are also a generous and giving person. You enjoy stepping back and giving others the spotlight to feel special.