We’re taking this Thanksgiving week to point to some of our favorite thinkers in the arenas of diet, nutrition, and fitness. Everyone on this list is an expert legitimately trying to help us figure out the best foods to eat. No posers who simply create controversy with shock-and-awe claims.

So after the turkey and pie overload and when it’s time for some motivation to get back on track, this is a great place to start.

Marion Nestle on meat substitutes

Former New York University nutrition professor Marion Nestle wrote an excellent article this week about plant-based and cell-based meats, and why their health and value is still suspect.

Nestle is an even-handed expert of the first order, a many-time author and the founder of Food Politics, one of the most informative, nonpartisan websites on nutrition.

If you’d rather skip the reading or prefer the video route, check out this well-rounded interview of Nestle that clearly calls out the points at which she gives practical advice.

Michael Pollan’s Masterclass on nutrition

Before Michael Pollan became a household name with the mega-hit book about psychedelic drugs How to Change Your Mind, he was an author focused on informative, interesting forays into nutrition science. In Defense of Food remains one of the best books available about practical nutrition, and it’s the home of his elegant diet advice, “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”

Pollan is back, this time teaching nutrition on Masterclass. We can tell from the early lessons that this is vintage Pollan greatness from the professor and long-time journalist.

As an aside on Masterclass, we’re huge fans. Some of our other favorite courses include:

• Steve Martin (comedy)
• Malcom Gladwell (writing)
• Sarah Blakely (entrepreneurship)
• Judd Apatow (comedy writing)
• Jane Goodall (conservation)
• Neil DeGrasse Tyson (science thinking and communication).

Adam Bornstein on holiday gorge-fests

We’ve written in prior posts about fitness trainer and nutrition writer Adam Bornstein, another uncommonly even-handed and practical voice in the health space.

We love the former Men’s Health editor’s perspective about what to do around the holidays after the likely overeating of poultry, stuffing, and pumpkin pie.

Bornstein’s advice: just go back to normal, consistent eating. No need for extremes.

As a bonus, check out Bornstein’s excellent interview with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Harvard’s Walter Willet’s healthy eating myths and advice

Walter Willet is one of the most cited academics in all of nutrition. Like Bornstein, he’s a great source for balanced, practical nutrition advice and is legitimately trying to help people eat healthier.

We liked this informative, simple 10-minute video about nutrition advice, myths, and more.

For more Willet gold, grab his great book on nutrition, a Bible/Torah/Koran on the topic that remains hyper-relevant 20 years after he wrote it. His more recent follow-up, Thinfluence, focuses on how our friends and environment can help make diet habits stick.

Enjoy this cornucopia of practical health reading, and enjoy the holiday weekend.

-Justin, Geremy and the airfare team

P.S. Please send all extra pumpkin pie to snack HQ in Cambridge, Mass.