Don’t let your Thanksgiving diet stop you from eating delicious treats — there are ways to indulge in the feast while still being mindful of your health!
It’s that time of year again! The holiday season is upon us, and if there is one thing I have learned, it’s that you can put in all of the hard work, blood, sweat, and tears (mainly tears) to lose weight and get healthy and in shape, and it only takes one holiday season to set you back. What a bummer! So in honor of all of us who like our waistline where it is, I have put together a little guide for you to navigate a Thanksgiving diet without undoing all of your hard work.
This is a little trick I picked up way back when. Wearing tight clothes will physically stop you from overdoing it at the dining room table. Just in case you don’t have the willpower, your jeans will tell you when you’ve had enough, and you’ll look great!
Treat this dinner like a tasting. Have small half-size portions of all the foods you love all on a little plate. You won’t feel like you are depriving yourself, but you also won’t jeopardize your efforts when it comes to eating healthier.
Sometimes it’s not always about your waistline. Your weight is just a result of how you fuel your body. This is a great idea, especially if you know your family is going to bring out the big guns (i.e. pineapple ham, macaroni and cheese, etc.). Bring a healthy option to fall back on so that you are getting the nutrients you need to keep your body running efficiently.
Speaking of macaroni and cheese … sometimes we can’t help it. We have those foods that are our weakness. If that is the case, prepare some healthier options so that they take the place of the more calorie-dense foods. Making a healthier version of macaroni and cheese with less cheese, a cauliflower base, and lentil pasta may be just the ticket to helping you enjoy your favorites without the guilt.
An appetizer helps in more ways than one. A hearty salad or soup appetizer can go a long way. It’s not too heavy and nutrient-dense. First, if you’re very hungry, it will stop you from binging on everything you see. Second, you won’t have room in your stomach to eat a ton of food. Thus saving yourself from loading your dinner plate.
It is best to stay on track and keep the commitments in your routine. Stay active so that your body (as well as your mind) doesn’t get too comfortable with being sedentary. In other words … don’t break the habit.
Every little bit counts. Use your pedometer and go for more walks during the week. Earn those calories! This practice will keep your metabolism working and help offset any extra calories you may have consumed during those Thanksgiving dinner parties.
Water will keep you in check. If all else fails, this technique won’t let you down. Drinking more water will help to hydrate you, but an added benefit is that you’ll be fuller and won’t physically have room in your stomach for extra biscuits and gravy.
This practice gives your brain a chance to catch up with your belly. It is common for people to keep eating because they don’t feel full, and if you have ever been there before, you’ll notice that the “full” feeling hits you and seems to come out of nowhere. The problem is that it takes time for your brain to receive the signal that it’s, in fact, full. Slowing down helps you determine whether you are really hungry or if you simply love how good it tastes.
Go ahead and enjoy your loved ones! This little trick forces you to chew slower and take smaller bites. Your mind will register the intake easier because there is time to send those signals to your brain.
Now that you have a little help here, you can march into Thanksgiving with a plan and keep your diet and physique in check! You can use these Thanksgiving diet tips whenever you head out to an event. Your hosts won’t even know that you're watching your figure, you won’t have to deal with awkward weight conversations, and you’ll get to enjoy the day just like you would any other time. But this time, you won't sacrifice your figure for a little pumpkin pie!
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