11/22/2018
Stuff your Turkey....not Yourself !!
Have a Healthy, Happy Thanksgiving !
Plenty to be thankful for.
Eat lighter in the hours before your event. But don’t starve yourself...…………
If you go into Thanksgiving dinner with your stomach screaming, you’re going to overeat. And eat things you might not have otherwise chosen. Instead, stock up on some non-starchy vegetables and lean protein to take the edge off during the day. On days like these, you can eliminate or minimize snacking and just get a healthy breakfast and lunch.
Size up the meal ahead of time...……………...
You get to the party. Most likely you have some time before you sit down to dinner. Check out that glorious spread. But then ask yourself: what are the things that are actually special? That will taste amazing to you and that you don’t get to have all the time?
Make room for the great stuff. Skip the ordinary. And take advantage of the fact that the centerpiece of the meal is often healthy, lean meat. Eat some turkey and let that help you get fuller with less food.
Be a taster...……………...
Often we just want to experience flavors. You may be satisfied by two bites of a casserole instead of taking a cup sized portion.
If you like Pecan Pie ---put a small sliver on your plate...……….. You get to taste it, and then be done with it. If you have a sweet tooth, plan for it. If a taste of chocolate satisfies you, take it. Enjoy it. But if one taste sends you lusting for a lot more, offer to bring your own healthy dessert, such as fresh raspberries and sorbet.
Make it fit on one plate...………………..
Just one plate. You can do it! This is where the tasting portions of your foods come into play.
Choose your drinking ahead of time...……………...
Most of the time when our clients have post-holiday regret, it involves alcohol. Not just because alcohol has empty calories. But more often because it loosens you up to the point where three slices of pie seems like a completely awesome idea. Decide what your limits are before you arrive.
Devise a strategy...……………... Tell yourself, “I’ll enjoy a half glass of wine with appetizers, and a half glass with dinner,” or decide to stick with mineral water at first, saving your alcohol for the main meal.
Slow down...………………..
Catch up with the people beside you as you eat. Take in the meal, your company, and linger with your food a bit. This gives your brain and stomach time to have a chat and let you know that you’re no longer hungry.
It’s just one day...……………..
If you eat more than you thought you would, it’s not a big deal. A slip is not a fall. Seriously. People gain weight during the holidays not because of Thanksgiving dinner. But because one heavy dinner turns into days and weeks of saying “oh well. I’ll start in the New Year.”
Why start later? There is no wagon to fall from if you see that days like Thanksgiving are part of the big picture. Just get back to your regularly scheduled program and you’ll be fine.....Bon Apetite !
