The holiday season can unravel months’ worth of healthy habits, especially since it kicks off with a day dedicated to eating. Thanksgiving meals typically involve many starchy sides and several sugary desserts. While indulging every now and then is perfectly fine, here are some tips to make sure you don’t overdo it this Thanksgiving:
1. Start your dinner with a salad. By filling up on healthy veggies first, you are likely to consume fewer calories when you get to the main course.
2. Switch up your ingredients. Try serving mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes to get all the creaminess without the added carbs. For green bean casserole, consider using Greek yogurt as the cream base rather than heavy cream or canned soups.
3. Use a smaller plate. Having less room on your plate will help control portion sizes, making you less likely to overeat.
4. Eat slowly. This can be hard, especially if you’ve spent all day enjoying the mouth-watering aroma of a roasting turkey. But your stomach may be full up to 20 minutes before your brain sends out signals of fullness. Pause between each bite and have conversations with people at the table to help slow yourself down.
5. Stay hydrated. When traveling to visit family, we often forget to drink water. Plus, with an abundance of coffee and alcohol at holiday gatherings, it’s easy to put water on the back burner. Try to bring a large container of water and make it your goal to finish it by the end of the day. Drinking enough water can also help you feel full, so you don’t overeat at dinner.
Following these tips will ensure you can enjoy your Thanksgiving meal without worrying about undoing the progress you’ve made throughout the year.
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