It’s here! Thanksgiving and the start of the Holiday season. That means lots of rich food, parties, and more food. It’s no wonder the average American gains between 5 and 10 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. But that doesn’t have to be you.
Here are 10 tips to help you enjoy Thanksgiving and all it has to offer, guilt free :
- Eat a healthy breakfast — Start your day off right with a good breakfast such as two eggs and whole-grain toast and a side of mixed greens, or any combination that’s high in protein and fiber.
- Get your workout in — Get up a little earlier and get your workout, run or walk in. Starting the day doing something positive for you will help you make better decisions later on.
- Don’t go overboard on appetizers — Instead of eating the cheesy, rich appetizers, choose vegetables and other healthy choices. Make sure you are drinking water with your appetizers as well.
- Watch your portion sizes — The average plate is 14 inches wide, and we tend to finish 98 percent of the food on our plate. Instead, use a smaller plate or fill ½ your plate up with salad or veggies, then dish up the rest of your favorites.
- Enjoy your favorite dishes – Part of the fun of this holiday is enjoying the food traditions. Don’t feel like you can’t eat your favorites. Instead, limit how much you eat of the less healthy options. Then, really take your time eating them. Be mindful and enjoy each bite. And, when you make those choices….enjoy them. Do not feel guilty.
- Try healthier versions of your favorites — I shared a few recipes last week like roasted root vegetables and cranberry sauce. You can also find healthier versions of yams, green casserole, and desserts. Just do a google search.
- Drink plenty of water. Have a glass in your hand while eating appetizers. Then, before you sit down for the big meal, drink 8-16 ounces. Drink water before dessert too.
- Bring a healthy dish to share – A vegetable laden salad or a fruit bowl is easy to transport and ensures you have at least one healthy option at dinner.
- Go easy on the alcohol — Limit yourself to one drink before dinner and one drink after. Drinking actually increases your appetite, so you inadvertently eat more – something we don’t want to do.
- Forgive yourself — If even with all your planning, you still over eat, forgive yourself and move on. It’s ok. Tomorrow is another day.
- Move after eating — If the weather is nice, find a companion and take a walk after the dishes are done. Your food digests better with movement and you will just feel better all around.
- Remember why you are celebrating. Thanksgiving is really about spending time with those we love and reflecting on all that we are thankful for this year. As good as the food can be, it is nothing compared to the people we are sharing the day with.
Happy Thanksgiving!