We Americans celebrate Thanksgiving with food, food and more food. This is one of the biggest food holidays of the year so anyone that is on a diet or is anxious about gaining weight may have some concerns about this holiday.
Thanksgiving is a holiday devoted to gratitude and thanks for the end of the harvest season. For those of us who love spending time with friends and family, this is a particularly special holiday. According to AAA, 43.3 Million people will be traveling during this Thanksgiving season.
You can have a great holiday and maintain your weight at the same time if you plan for your Thanksgiving meal.
Here are five tips for help you enjoy your thanksgiving meal without gaining weight.
Continue your exercise routine
Usually when people change their schedules exercise is usually the first activity cut. Don't change your exercise schedule just because it is a holiday.
Exercise is an important activity for our digestive process. It reduces stress that sometimes becomes elevated when dealing with families or holidays, and it decreases appetite.
Drink water before your meals
Drinking water before you eat helps to lessen your appetite and makes it easier to consume fewer calories. If you know you like to snack during the holiday make sure to keep water handy to sip on instead. It will help with your workouts too.
Use a salad plate instead of a regular size plate
Ask for a salad plate, it helps to reduce the amount of food you are eating at one sitting. Do not overfill the plate.
Try to keep your food from touching each other. This creates space on your plate and prevents you from piling on too much food at one time.
If you really want to go back for seconds, wait at least 20 minutes to give your stomach and your brain time to communicate. You may find after waiting that you feel full.
Thanksgiving is only ONE day
Here is the most important idea to remember – Thanksgiving is ONE day. So plan to relax your eating schedule for one day! Continue to eat regular healthy and light meals up to the Thanksgiving dinner.
Leftovers put on weight
When you eat lots of calories day after day, your weight creeps up with each meal. Enjoy your high caloric meal as a special treat on Thanksgiving.
But after Thanksgiving go back to 5- 6 small meals per day. If you keep eating the high caloric meals as leftovers you are setting yourself up to gain weight!
Keep this ideas in mind and you will have a healthy and happy Thanksgiving holiday.
Live Vibrantly,
Dr. Dae
Diabetes Ambassador Champion, National Capital Area Region
Dr. Dae's website: www.healthydaes.com
Dr. Dae's book: Daelicious! Recipes for Vibrant Living can be purchased @ www.healthydaes.com
Dr. Dae's Bio:
Dr. Daemon Jones is your diabetes reversal, hormones, metabolism and weight loss expert. Dr. Dae is a naturopathic doctor who treats patients all over the country using Skype and phone visits. Visit her or schedule a free consultation at her website www.HealthyDaes.com/
Sources:
AAA: 43.4 Million Americans to Travel for Thanksgiving, a Slight Decline from Last Year | AAA NewsRoom. Retrieved November 24, 2014, from
http://newsroom.aaa.com/2013/11/aaa-43-4-million-americans-to-travel-for-thanksgiving-a-slight-decline-from-last-year
The 25 Best Diet Tips Of All Time. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2014, from
http://www.prevention.com/weight-loss/diets/25-best-weight-loss-tips-ever?s=2
Wendy C. FriesWebMD Weight Loss Clinic-Feature. (n.d.). Easy Weight Loss Tips: 10 Painless Ways to Lose Weight. Retrieved November 24, 2014, from
http://www.webmd.com/women/features/weight-loss-tips
Young, D. (2014, November 24). 5 Common Diet Mistakes Not to Make on Thanksgiving. Retrieved November 24, 2014, from
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-lisa-young/5-common-diet-mistakes-no_b_6208238.html?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living
Reviewed November 25, 2014
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith