Thanksgiving is a holiday filled with food, food, and more food. On average, one plate of Thanksgiving classics contains anywhere from 1,600-3,000 calories—that’s over most people’s recommended daily allowance! But we’ve got you covered.
Here are 5 ways you can still enjoy a great meal that took so long to make without falling off the healthy wagon:
Don’t skip breakfast.
Starting out your day with a healthy breakfast is a good idea for any day. If you end up missing the first meal of the day it will slow down your metabolism. This will cause your body to store more calories later, and you may end up gorging at dinner because you’re extra hungry. Don’t be that hungry, grumpy person!
Give your plate a healthy makeover.
Sure, your plate may have some healthy items like sweet potatoes or turkey, but vegetables are usually scarce at most Thanksgiving dinners. Make sure you throw in a salad or side dish of green beans and brussell sprouts to balance your plate and add some much needed nutrients to your meal.
Socialize at the table.
As good as your food make look, you can still lift your head up from your plate to have a conversation with others at the table. Talking will encourage you to slow down and not overeat. Also make sure you chew your food thoroughly. Turns out that the more you chew your food, the better your body will digest it.
Practice portion control.
Thanksgiving plates usually resemble Mount Everest – people just pile it on. Give yourself reasonable portions so you don’t start out stuffing your face. Start your meal with protein and vegetables and use a smaller plate. That way you’ll be almost full when you get to the carbs and sweets.
If you’re full, save dessert for later.
After eating such a big meal, you’ll for sure feel full. As good as that huge table full of desserts looks, giving yourself some time to rest after dinner is a good idea. Save dessert for later in the night or make up a plate to enjoy the next day.
Make sure to follow us on Twitter @lucilleroberts for more great tips for dining during the holidays!
