Because I’m a dietitian, this might come as a surprise some we spread on Thanksgiving it doesn’t involve toiling over a hot stove all day. Instead, I opt for a prepared meal – it’s my cooking and mental health a game changer for the holiday season.

Yes, I’ve heard the whispers in the grocery aisles, “But isn’t homemade healthier?” As nutrition professionals, we dietitians often advocate freshly prepared, healthy 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 involved how much time I spent in the kitchen versus my family. The latter was sorely lacking.

Once upon a time, in my earnest search for the quintessential homemade Thanksgiving feast, I envisioned a picturesque dinner—one that could grace the pages of a lifestyle magazine, perhaps under the careful tutelage of Martha Stewart. I embarked on an ambitious menu, thinking that my years of mentoring others on nutrition would translate effortlessly into great culinary feats. Spoiler alert: they didn’t.

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

I couldn’t escape from the kitchen. Between anointing, sauteing and fighting with the monster-sized turkeythere was barely a moment to breathe, let alone enjoy the company of family and friends. Every minute spent cleaning another dish it was another minute to miss the stories of loved ones around the table. Sure, I got help. But even with the extra hands, I felt like I completely missed the opportunity to catch up with people I rarely see.

And while everyone thanked me for a wonderful evening and a delicious meal, my gut told me that the highlight of the evening was the company, not my “perfectly seasoned taters.”

That 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 overlooking food aesthetics, don’t worry! I still manage to make my prepared offer look attractive. A sprinkling of fresh herbs here, a dash of paprika there, and voila—a picture-perfect spread with a lot less fuss.

Now let’s call a spade a spade. Grabbing ready-made meals and opting for fast food tends to result in meals that contain more fat, salt and sugar, if those are things you’re watching closely for health reasons. But if not, when we consider the big picture, isn’t a day of indulgence a small price to pay to negate the anxiety of holiday meal prep? My stress levels are much lower without the pressure of cooking an elaborate feast, and isn’t that better for my overall health? After all, the essence of Thanksgiving is the joy and company of loved ones—and yes, indulgence, too.

Freeing myself from the shackles of the kitchen, I find that I don’t have to worry about making a Martha Stewart-level meal. Instead, I can pour my energy into more important things, like catching up with relatives and cozying up in a post-turkey dinner haze while I strategize my Black Friday shopping.

So this year, if you’re not finding joy in cooking your Thanksgiving meal, know that you’re not alone. There are no rules for celebrating this holiday, and you have my permission to do whatever is most important to you. – whether it’s picking up a prepared bird, opting for a tofu-based ‘turkey’ or ditching the traditional meal altogether. For me, the holiday is about connections – not just those between flavor profiles, but also those between family members. Having a prepared 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 at Thanksgiving, well, there’s no scientific data to back that up, but I’m pretty sure the happy giggles make everything taste better. So here’s to you, my love, to the Thanksgiving feast in store, and to all the many, many years we’ll have together.

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