Thanksgiving only comes once a year. A time to spend with family and friends and give thanks for all the blessings we have in our lives.
It also gives us a green light to grub out! Packing on the pounds during the holidays is no new tradition. Many nutritionists suggest maintaining your weight as opposed to moving your belt out another notch.
Thanksgiving is the start of the holiday festivities. It is a good time to start making sensible choices to keep your weight in check and keep the extra pounds off.
Here are 6 tips to tame your tummy from busting a buckle on Thanksgiving Day:
Eat a Healthy Breakfast
Have a late breakfast on the morning of the big dinner. Many of us will hold off on eating until dinner. Eating a sensible breakfast will stave off those growling stomachs come dinner time and keep you from gorging. A couple of eggs with some wheat toast, oatmeal with blueberries, or a bowl of grain cereal with almond milk are great options to hold you over.
Be Sure to Exercise
Exercise in the morning on the big day. Go for a bike ride or a brisk walk. Burn as many calories early to offset the caloric intake at dinner time. You may even suggest a group walk around the neighborhood after the big feast.
Drink Lots of Water
Drink a lot of water throughout the day. Drinking water during the day will keep you fuller than an empty stomach. It will also help with the digestive process. Try to avoid drinking too much alcohol. If you must indulge in the spirits, try using light mixers such as club soda or a wine spritzer.
Bring a Healthy Dish
Instead of bringing a dish loaded with starchy carbs and heavy sauces, bring something like a bean salad, a leafy salad, or grilled veggies with almonds. This will give others an alternative to all the heavy foods as.
Eat Your Veggies
Load up on the veggies first. Then add smaller portions of meats and carbs to your plate. Try to get everything on your first plate and avoid going back for seconds and thirds. Skip the heavy creams, sauces, and gravies. No whip cream on your dessert pie!
Offer to Play a Game
Offer to play a game that everyone can participate in and enjoy during the meal. This will slow down the intake of food by breaking the silence of the endless gorging. It will also stifle your uncle who only wants to talk politics!
The holidays are a wonderful time of year. It doesn’t mean you have to throw all caution to the wind and over-indulge, though. Making healthy decisions should be a part of your overall holiday plans. Incorporating a healthy plan for your holidays can be fun and exciting, which will provide a conscientious start in the new year!