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While turkey has its fans, many people see the side dishes as the real stars of the Thanksgiving meal. But when it comes to nutrition, not all sides are created equal.

Plenty of Thanksgiving favorites are drowning in butter, sugar and other unhealthy ingredients even those that seem healthy due to their vegetable content. Thats no reason to avoid partaking in the festivities or feel shame for eating an indulgent meal, however.

Its great if you can lighten up some of those decadent Thanksgiving dishes and cut out some of the excessive sodium, sugar and fat without sacrificing flavor, said Stefani Sassos, a registered dietitian for the Good Housekeeping Institute . But my cardinal rule with Thanksgiving and holidays in general is to eat what you want but listen to your body and respect your fullness.

Some of these foods only come around once a year and are just too good to pass up! she added. As a registered dietitian, of course I try to choose healthy items, but I know that if you restrict too much, it may ultimately backfire and youll wind up eating more than you would have in the first place.

Pick and choose your absolute favorite items, portion out a serving, and sensibly indulge, she added. You can still enjoy your favorite foods in moderation and avoid that Thanksgiving food coma.

Still, for those who would like to learn about the dietary properties of different Thanksgiving sides, HuffPost asked nutritionists to rank these dishes from healthiest to least healthy and to share their tips for upping the nutritional value of each option.

Its important to note that nutritional rankings can be subjective and based on an individuals current health goals, and that preparation plays a major role in how healthy a side dish can be. The below list reflects an average of each nutritionists individual rankings.

1. Brussels Sprouts (Healthiest)