Don't think Thanksgiving has to mean weight gain. You can enjoy turkey day and still stick with your healthy eating goals. The holidays can be hard if you're trying not to add a lot of cheer to your derriere. It's a time to celebrate and spend time with family. But there's always a cornucopia of unhealthy and fattening foods to tempt even the most diligent of us.
Thanksgiving is often the worst. There are no presents or carolers to distract from the eating, just a table full of delicious food calling our name. Of course, we're supposed to be thankful for all our blessings, too, but sadly we spend more time on the eating part than the thankful part. But before you panic about the upcoming day, let me give you some alternatives that are both healthy and tasty.
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Start healthy. Most dinners start with some fattening appetizers so we can warm up our appetites for future fattening foods! Instead of creamy dips and chips, serve raw veggies and hummus. Grill some peppers so your guests will still have something crunchy to munch on while they wait for the main event. Cook some artichoke hearts and put some spinach and a little bit of cheese on top.
The trick is to serve healthier options of your favorite sides. Instead of a huge slab of mashed potatoes and gravy, offer your guests some mashed sweet potatoes with a little cinnamon. Mashed cauliflower is another good alternative to mashed potatoes. Sauté some green beans in a little olive oil and then bake with some onions and mushrooms.
Cook your turkey using an assortment of oils and spices but skip the stuffing. If you must have some sort of stuffing; then use quinoa instead of bread stuffing.
If you crave a piece of pumpkin pie, then enjoy it. Don't guiltily slam down a piece as fast as you can. Sit down and savor every bite. Thanksgiving only comes once a year so enjoy the treats you choose to indulge in for the day. You can also prepare some low-calorie desserts made mostly with fresh fruits.
When you're invited to someone else's house for the day you have little say about the menu. But you can still make wise choices in what you eat. Try to eat a small, healthy snack before you leave your house. Then you won't arrive starving. Drink a bottle of water on the drive over. Offer to bring a dish as any good dinner guest would. Then make sure it's something healthy. You'll know you'll have at least one good choice available.
Fill your plate with white meat and veggies first. Then there won't be much room left for all the high fat foods. Say, "No thanks" to the rolls and cornbread. If you must have a little stuffing, at least eat a small portion with a tiny bit of gravy on the side.
Eat slowly and when you're full stop eating. No matter how wonderful it all tastes.
Try to drink as much ice water as possible. Limit yourself to one glass of wine at the most. Sip it slowly and enjoy it. But don't ask for a refill.
Maintain your exercise schedule as much as possible during the holidays to keep your metabolism and energy level going strong. Many people start to feel depressed during the holidays and overeating will add to that sluggish, unhappy mood. Exercise doesn't always have to happen at the gym. After that big dinner; gather up all the kids and teenagers and play touch football in the backyard. Go for a walk and enjoy the wonderful fall colors.
Remember, the best way to prepare for the holidays is to be as healthy as possible in advance. If you've been eating healthy and exercising regularly then a few splurges during the holidays won't kill you. Just don't fall into the habit of eating anything and everything you want for the entire Thanksgiving to Christmas season. If so, you'll be starting the New Year with a lot of make-up work.
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