Okay...I know... it's Thanksgiving Day so we should be able to just go crazy and have the most insane cheat day of the year right??? NOPE! You can still find balance without throwing weeks...orMONTHS...of hard work out the window.
I am not saying don't enjoy yourself. You should eat those few things you have been waiting for all year while still being mindful of your nutrition and health goals. Remember: it's okay to overeat every once in a while; there is no reason to feel guilty for a bit of gluttony on the one day where it's pretty much expected. But it is also okay to go into Thanksgiving dinner with a different mindset.
Here are a few tips to "navigate" the Thanksgiving Day dinner table, so you can at least stay somewhat on the healthier side this year:
1. You don't HAVE to starve yourself all day before the big dinner. In fact, it's probably best to have a little lunch or a small snack prior, so you aren't so ravenous and hangry you just go crazy and eat more in one sitting than you normally would in 2-3 meals combined.
2. Great news...TURKEY IS PROTEIN!!! You should eat turkey...lots of it. Where we get into trouble is the gravy. So instead of drowning your turkey in gravy this year, maybe put a little gravy on the side in a small dish and dip (NOTDUNK) your turkey in the gravy, so you still get the flavor without so many extra calories. Another tip is to dip your fork in the gravy first so you still taste it but it’s not like being all extra with the gravy.
3. Don't forget about the veggies. There are usually some good veggie choices on the menu too. With so many delicious options, the vegetables seem to get ignored a lot of the time, but don't neglect your nutritious friends that grow out of the ground. It may help to curb your appetite a bit with some of the other not so nutritious items.
4. Eat your FAVS, just not as much. It's fine to eat that sweet potato/yam casserole with all the marshmallow goodness, just have a little bit. Mashed potatoes with all the butter, cream, and maybe cheese, too: eat it! Just remember portion control.
5. It will be there tomorrow. There is always a TON of Thanksgiving leftovers, so there is a good chance it will still be there tomorrow, and the next day, and probably the day after that. Don't feel like you need to eat it all in one sitting. And even if you are not hosting Thanksgiving at your house, whoever hosted your dinner is usually more than happy to send guests home with a plate of food.
6. Watch 'dem drinks. When indulging in the foods, be aware of drinking those couple beers/wine/cocktails or sodas/juice/mocktails. The liquid calories add up...and FAST. A great tip for keeping the calories you are drinking down is for every drink you have, drink a glass of water in between. Hydration is still important!
7. It's okay to pass and NOT eat something. This may sound simple and it is! If there is something on the table you don't like, I am sure you are not going to insult anyone by not eating it. You are not going to offend Aunt Karen because you didn't eat her prized green bean casserole, she will still love you at the end of the day.
8. GET IT IN! Start the day with a morning workout, even if it’s 30 minutes of light cardio. Or even better, WALK after that meal and make it a family affair. You’ll be surprised at how many may take you up on a neighborhood stroll, especially if the weather is nice.
Cat Denels is the owner of ISI Elite Training - Matthews and a diligent food prepper. ISI Elite Matthews is a 50 minute fast-paced Athletic Based Training group training facility with proven results. If you want to look like an athlete, you need to train like an athlete. ISI Elite Trianin Matthews' new facility will open this winter at the corner of Potter and Chestnut Roads in Matthews. They are currently enrolling members and hosting outdoor classes Tuesday - Sunday. You can learn more HERE
