Thanksgiving is a wonderful opportunity to bring friends and family members together to kick off the holiday season. However, it’s also the first of many wintertime celebrations where people tend to overeat or choose high-calorie foods. If you always find yourself slipping into unhealthy habits during this time of the year, use these tips to have a nutritious and delicious Thanksgiving dinner instead.
Eat breakfast
Because Thanksgiving dinners usually start in the early afternoon, many people forgo breakfast in favor of saving up their hunger for the day’s large meal. This might sound like an effective way to cut calories, but it actually has the opposite effect – skipping an early-morning meal will cause you to overeat later. WebMD suggested eating a small, healthy breakfast to keep your appetite in check. Foods like fruit salad, whole-wheat toast and eggs are good options, as they’ll pad your stomach without filling you up too much.
Incorporate exercise into your day
Sitting on the couch after chowing down on all that turkey will only leave you feeling sluggish, which will in turn may have you reaching for more snacks to boost your energy. Health magazine suggested scheduling a light stroll for after dinner to work off some of those recently consumed calories. Not only will a post-dinner walk help you break a sweat and keep your metabolism moving, but it’s a great opportunity to see some foliage and spend time with any friends for family members who may want to join you. Aim to walk for about 30 minutes – just enough time to work up an appetite for dessert!
Make healthy choices this Thanksgiving.
Consider healthy alternatives to seasonal favorites
If you’re like most people, there are certain delicious foods you associate with special occasions. Unfortunately, these delicacies are usually rich treats packed with sugar, fat and calories. This Thanksgiving, see if you can swap out unhealthy ingredients in your favorite foods for more nutritious choices, suggested WebMD. For example, experiment with using Greek yogurt in recipes that typically employ mayonnaise or sour cream.
If you’re unable to cook, focus on filling up on the healthiest options others whipped up. When adding food to your plate, start with dishes that are packed with fresh vegetables and fruits. Choose leaner, white meat sections of the turkey, as these are high in protein and lower in fat than dark meat portions. If you’re craving high-calorie dishes, like stuffing or creamy mashed potatoes, make sure to only allow yourself small servings.
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