Diet Tips for Surviving Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time for expressing gratitude to those who came before us and allowed us the opportunity to live in this great country. It is also a time for reflection and displaying love to those closest to us. It’s time for family and friends to come together and enjoy their company. Many also associate Thanksgiving with football (official day of the Turkey Bowl). However, let’s not forget that Thanksgiving is also about food. A lot of food.  It’s an eat-until-you’re-uncomfortable kind of holiday. Many of us may take pride in how much turkey or tofurky we can eat in one or multiple sittings on this day. It is important to note that this holiday is also associated with weight gain because of the amount of food typically consumed on Thanksgiving and the 2-3 days that follow it. It also marks the unofficial Anti-Hunger games that are the Holiday season (Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Christmas, New Years, etc.).

The purpose of this article is to help you stay on track with your diet and health & fitness goals throughout the Thanksgiving holiday meal hype, because we know there are going to be food challenges. Be confident in knowing that it is not NECESSARY to gain weight during the holidays (unless you believe it is, if so, stop reading). Follow the tips below for success with keeping your waistline slim this Thanksgiving:

  • You don’t have to gain weight on Thanksgiving. Sure, we love to eat and the food is delicious, but in no way, shape, or form do we HAVE TO eat 3 plates and 4 desserts
  • Stay mindful of your portions. No need to fill the entire plate, but if you do, only stick to one plate as opposed to multiple plates
  • Eat less early in the day. This helps control your overall caloric consumption because
    CALORIES + EXCESS CALORIES = POTENTIAL WEIGHT GAIN
  • Drink a protein shake before heading out to dinner (45-60 minutes before). This will help control appetite and decrease chances of snacking on small bites pre-dinner time.
  • Eat only one dessert. COMMIT TO IT! Pick the apple pie or the pumpkin pie, but avoid doing both. If you MUST do both (reminder, you don’t have to), just have a small portion (3 tablespoons) of each pie.

Thanksgiving is a holiday where we can be grateful for all the good things in our life such as family, food, friends, football, cell phones, clean water, laundry machines, internet, etc.  Make it a point to take care of your health and your waistline this Thanksgiving.  Lastly, remember that you do not HAVE TO gain weight on Thanksgiving, but that choice truly is yours.

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