With all the options at the dinner table this Thanksgiving, remember to practice portion control. Photo courtesy of Satya Murthy (Flickr)
Mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, stuffing, cranberry sauce and let’s not forget the turkey – the list can go on and on. If one thing comes to mind, it has to be Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a holiday that many people celebrate around the world and it is a day to spend time with loved ones and eat delicious food. Thanksgiving is also a time that people tend to overeat because there is an endless supply of delicious food to taste. We all enjoy a nice Thanksgiving meal, but we don’t enjoy the extra calories that unfortunately comes along with it. Don’t fret – here are some tips to help you tackle your meal at the Thanksgiving.
Practice portion control
We know that it can be a little challenging not getting another scoop of mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese or even that second plate of food, but it is very important to practice portion control when enjoying your Thanksgiving meal. One way to practice portion control is to try using a smaller plate for your meal because our brain can play tricks on us sometimes and this is the one time that it may be OK. It is very common to feel the need to completely cover our plates because we see that there is more space, which means more room for food. By using a smaller plate, we create less space for food, which means we eat less. Another way to practice portion control is to drink a glass or two of water. By drinking water before your meal, you will feel fuller because sometimes when we think that we are hungry, we are sometimes just thirsty.
Don’t forget to eat your vegetables
We know that everyone is running to carve that delicious turkey but try eating a plate full of your favorite vegetables or a salad before you have your actual Thanksgiving meal. Vegetables tend to be low in calories depending on the preparation method. A plate full of vegetables will be sure to fill you up and you won’t be as hungry when you sit down for your Thanksgiving dinner.
Eat a little snack before your Thanksgiving meal
On average, our stomach empties out every 3-4 hours, so try eating a snack before your meal. Try eating your snack about 2 hours before you have your Thanksgiving meal with the hopes of focusing on your actual level of hunger at dinnertime. Some snacks you can try to eat before dinner are a granola bar, a small salad or a piece of fruit.
Conquer your sweet tooth with a delicious fruit salad
The sweet potato and apple pie is probably calling your name, but before you think about answering, try eating a fruit salad for dessert. Fruits are just as sweet as your favorite pie, but the only difference, for the most part, is that it contains natural sugars. Some fruits to add to your fruit salad are sliced strawberries, pineapples, honeydew melon or cantaloupe. This would also be a perfect time to get one of your recommended 4-5 servings of fruit for the day.
Take a few laps around the block
Taking a walk is a great way to get some fresh air after your Thanksgiving meal. Not only is this a great time to bond with your loved ones, but you will also be able to burn off some of the calories that you ate at dinner. Remember to leave your phones at home and enjoy the company that you are with.
