Navigating Thanksgiving can be quite a challenge, especially if you are trying to adhere to a diet or keep your weight in check. Thanksgiving does not have to sabotage your healthy journey or your weight. With a little knowhow, you can enjoy your annual favorites and make it out of Thanksgiving without entering a massive food coma. The only thing that should be stuffed on Thanksgiving is the turkey! In this article we’ll detail some thoughtful tips to help you stay as healthy as possible this Thanksgiving Day.
Eat Breakfast
It is very common for people to avoid eating until the big meal. The thought process is that saving up calories will be a smart play. Nutritionists suggest that eating a small, balanced meal in the morning can give you more control over your appetite. Begin the day with a fruit and vegetable smoothie, cup of chia pudding, bowl of oatmeal (not the packaged stuff), or a cup of overnight oats. Eating a fiber-rich meal with a variety of vitamins and minerals will actually help you control yourself at the Thanksgiving table.
Lighten It Up
What we mean by this is that you should have some lighter food options at your Thanksgiving table. Whether you are hosting or attending, bring a couple dishes that contain far less fat, sugar, and calories than everything else. Try using salt-free chicken broth to baste the turkey or make the gravy. Experiment with fruit puree instead of oil in baked goods. You can also make a fall-themed roasted vegetable medley, salad, or root vegetable puree in place of mashed potatoes.
Get Active
There is no need to go hard in the paint, but it is a great idea to move the body before the big meal. You will likely not want to move after, so burn off some energy and calories earlier in the day. Go on a long walk with family, engage in an at-home HIIT workout, or do a family yoga practice. Make fitness a family affair! You can even encourage everyone to go on a post-dinner stroll to help encourage healthier digestion.
Skip Seconds
It is difficult, but we believe that you have the willpower to resist a second helping of food. Plan your plate accordingly and enjoy the food you selected. Save a little room for a piece of dessert you want and let that be the end of the meal. Choose the best selections at the buffet, not just a little of everything because it’s all there. Nutritionists state that roasted sweet potatoes, thin gravy, plain vegetables, and white turkey meat are your best lower-fat, lower-calorie options. Plus, you can always have another plate the next day when you reheat leftovers.
Go Easy With Alcohol
It can be easy to overindulge in both food and alcohol, especially if you are watching the games with family and friends. Alcohol, especially beer, can increase your caloric intake quite a bit, and that is something you don’t need on Thanksgiving. Enjoy sparkling water, plain water, or iced or hot teas on thanksgiving to promote healthier digestion. Additionally, avoid sugary sodas to limit sugar and caloric intake.
Savor Your Food Slowly
Eat slowly this Thanksgiving, savoring every bite of food you put in your mouth. Put your fork down between bites and pay attention to each mouthful. That’s the best way to feel satisfied with your plate of food. Additionally, choose dishes that contain whole grains, vegetables, and broth-based soups this year.
Focus On Family And Friends
Yes, Thanksgiving revolves around food, but it also is a time to be thankful for the relationships between family and friends. The main event of the day should be socializing with friends and family. Spend quality time with them because you may not see some of them again for a while.
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.
