Tips for a Healthy Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving only comes around once a year, so why not go ahead and splurge? Do you really want to gain weight during the holiday season only to TRY to lose it after the new year? Gaining weight over the holidays should not be a national pastime.
Year after year, a lot of people pack-on too many pounds during the holidays – and end up keeping that extra weight permanently. But Thanksgiving does not have to sabotage your weight. With a little know-how, you can satisfy your desire for traditional favorites and still enjoy a guilt-free Thanksgiving feast. After all, being stuffed is a good idea only if you are a turkey!
Get Active
Create a calorie deficit by exercising to burn off extra calories before you indulge in your favorite foods, Make fitness a family adventure. Take a walk early in the day and then again after dinner. It is a wonderful way for families to get physical activity and enjoy the holiday together.
Eat Breakfast
While you might think it makes sense to save calories for the big meal, experts say eating your normal morning meal can give you more control over your appetite. You don't want to arrive at the gathering starving. Eating a nutritious meal with protein and fiber at breakfast and drinking plenty of water before you arrive will reduce your appetite and allow you to be more discriminating in your food and beverage choices. Our Instant Meal Replacement is a great way to start your day with protein, fiber, and low calories.
Lighten Up
Whether you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner or bringing a few dishes to share, make your recipes healthier with high fiber, more protein and no sugar.
Use Yeast-free; sweetener-free chicken broth to baste the turkey and make gravy.
Use pure U.S. grade maple syrup in place of sugar in your baked goods.
Reduce oil and butter wherever you can.
Try plain full-fat yogurt or cream cheese in creamy dips, mashed potatoes, and casseroles.
Police Your Portions
Thanksgiving tables are bountiful and beautiful displays of traditional family favorites. Before you fill your plate, survey the buffet table and decide what you're going to choose. Then select reasonable-sized portions of foods you cannot live without.
Don't waste your calories on foods that you can have all year long, fill your plate with small portions of holiday favorites that only come around once a year so you can enjoy desirable, traditional foods.
Skip the Seconds: Try to resist the temptation to go back for second helpings, unless it is for the vegetables
Leftovers are much better the next day, and if you limit yourself to one plate, you are less likely to overeat and have more room for a delectable dessert.
Choose the Best Bets on the Buffet: While each of us has our own favorites, keep in mind that some holiday foods are better choices than others.
Water & Supplements
Always remember to drink ½ your weight in ounces of water EVERY DAY, a holiday is not a day off from your regular routine. So, take your supplements at breakfast and dinner times and Slender Aid and Enzyme before meals and in between meals as necessary.
Slowly Savor
Eating slowly, putting down your fork between bites, and tasting each mouthful is one of the easiest ways to enjoy your meal and feel satisfied with one plate full of food, experts say. Spread out the food and fun all day long. At Patty’s family’s Thanksgiving gathering, they eat their meal around 1:00 then play board games or go for a walk before dessert.
Go Easy on Alcohol
Don't forget those alcohol calories that can add up quickly. If you drink alcohol, be sure to drink water between alcoholic drinks, this way you stay hydrated, limit alcohol calories, and stay sober. Remember to avoid alcohol completely if you are on an Alternative Health wellness program.
Be Realistic
The holiday season is a time for celebration. With busy schedules and so many extra temptations, this is a good time to strive for weight maintenance instead of weight loss.
Focus on Family and Friends
Thanksgiving is not just about the delicious bounty of food. It's a time to celebrate relationships with family and friends. Any celebration is about family and friends socializing, and spending quality time together, not just what is on the buffet.
Stick to it!
If you are on an Alternative Health structured program during the holidays, do not deviate from your calendar and legal food list. We have plenty of recipes to choose from for you to make and bring to the holiday table. Your friends and family will be enticed by something new, and you won’t be tempted to fall off your program. Call us for more information and continued support!