We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Thanksgiving is going to look a lot different this year. Due to the pandemic, families may separate and the classically enormous meal may not be filled with the same lively spirit. You can be lively via Zoom, though! And you can cherish the people who can be with you on Thanksgiving. We can promise you that the one thing you won’t be short of is food.
Holiday helpings exceed the existing portion sizes in America, which are too big to begin with. The holiday season is simply a food-centric time with loads of sweets, carbs, and meats. This year involved the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused weight gain around the world. Then Halloween happened and the excessive candy consumption began. Finally, Thanksgiving marks the start of crazy caloric celebrations that last until the New Year.
All of that said, we don’t want to you to avoid holiday foods that you enjoy eating. If you plan on indulging, it’s integral to implement a wellness plan that keeps you healthy as you navigate the holidays, and all the eating that comes with them. We hope that the following tips help prepare you for a healthier Thanksgiving.
Be A Picky Eater
Americans are about to lose self-control and shove copious amounts of food into their face holes. It’s a surefire bet to say that most people will pig out for Thanksgiving. Allow yourself this single day to eat a lot, but employ healthy eating habits leading up to the big meal. Focus on fresh vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fruits, and lean proteins as much as possible beforehand. Don’t use butter, refined grains, refined sugars, or processed ingredients. Use the time before Thanksgiving to practice portion control and discipline, and employ those tactics after the weekend so you don’t go off the rails before Christmas.
Make It A Point To Sit Down And Eat
With all the holiday commotion and stress, it’s common to eat while you’re doing seven other things. You may take a bite of your dinner, head to your desk and shop for a jacket on your computer, and then come back for a few more bites. Perhaps you play with your dog and then eat a few bites, and then go on to do something else. Some people just eat standing up and forget that they’re eating. This causes them to eat constantly without realizing how much they’re actually eating. Meal time is meal time, and that’s final. Sit down and enjoy your food and you’ll find that you eat less all the time, even on Turkey Day.
Exercise Every Day
Are you tired of hearing this recommendation? Well, too bad! If you lose sight of physical exercise, your primary muscle groups start to weaken. These muscle groups are responsible for burning the majority of your calories. You don’t have to become a gym rat or anything like that. Practice going for a stroll around the neighborhood (with a mask!) after dinner in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. A 20-30 minute walk is sufficient and a great thing to do after the big meal.
Steer Clear Of Sugar
You’ll undoubtedly eat some sweets on Thanksgiving, so give your body a break in the week before the big meal. Sugar is everywhere on the Thanksgiving spread. This may surprise you, but sugar was hardly incorporated into Thanksgiving dishes in the 1860s. In that era, people consumed less that one-tenth of the sugar we consume nowadays. Sugar goes straight for your fat cells, and it causes you to crave more. Studies have proven that sugar is as addicting as cocaine. Steer clear of sugary foods before Thanksgiving and you may find that you don’t actually want to eat as much when the time comes.
Be Honest With Yourself
Diets aren’t meant for everyone, and some people often find that denying themselves a glass of wine or piece of chocolate every night makes them go off the rails in a big way. A singular treat at the end of a day of healthy eating may not be the worst thing. Some people need that treat and there’s no reason to be embarrassed by that. Often times, giving up everything you love can result in a full-fledged pig out session with super unhealthy foods. Just own up to your weaknesses and don’t deny yourself a little pleasure. This will help you avoid binge eating on Thanksgiving.Â
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
