A new study shows that the Western diet -- filled with trans fats and greasy goodness -- is slowly choking our arteries and increasing the world's risk of heart attack by more than 30 percent. Even though this is usually the season to forgo the calorie counting and reasonable portion sizes, no holiday host wants to be responsible for the unhealthy heart of their friends and family. ...The majority of them anyway.

To make your holiday meals both healthy and unique this season, try switching up a few habits and ingredients to add flair to your traditional cuisine.

Only us Americans would take something as wholesome and healthy as the Thanksgiving turkey and decide to throw it in the fryer. According to the study, fried foods are a main component of the harmfulness of our diets. So instead of firing up the turkey fryer, go the traditional route of baking it in flavorful and heart-healthy herbs such as garlic, rosemary, basil, and sage. Garnish with fiber-rich apple slices for a colorful and sweet addition.

The Mediterranean diet is often touted for its healthy components and the many different elements of it can be easily implemented into your cuisine with out confusing your guests or forgoing tradition. One staple of the the cuisine is olive oil, which is an important source of mono-saturated fat. Use it instead of other oils when seasoning your turkey, or wherever a recipe calls for oil.

Yogurt is another component of the Mediterranean diet and is a healthy alternative to the sour cream that often chokes our casseroles and other dishes. Another popular element, fish and seafood, is often left off the traditional Thanksgiving table so surprise your guests by adding a heart-healthy seafood dish to the spread. Little alterations won't upset traditionalists and can be a great way to be healthy with out drenching your turkey in saffron or hummus just to be different!