Thanksgiving is all about giving gratitude for everything you have and appreciating the people in your life. Families come together to celebrate each other, give thanks and have a big feast together. Traditional Thanksgiving meal favorites are turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potato pie, and lots of sweets.
The turkey itself is actually a very healthy bird. It's a good source of protein, high in niacin, phosphorous, selenium, vitamin B6 and zinc. It is also all protein, no carbs. A three ounce serving of turkey breast meat is just 87 calories, 15 grams of protein and 3 grams of carbs. The stuffing, on the other hand, can pack a calorie wallop depending on how it’s prepared. If you are making it yourself, try to substitute fat-free chicken broth for the butter and it will go a long way towards cutting the fat grams. Adding a lot of chopped vegetables to the recipe can also help. If you aren't in charge of making the stuffing, try to keep your helping small, around 1/2 cup.
Thanksgiving dinner can easily spoil a diet or just leave you feeling stuffed, bloated and unable to partake in the merriment of the holidays. It also marks the beginning of the holiday season, so overeating on this day can set you on course to gain excess weight throughout the next month or two.
Here are some guidelines to keep in mind…………..
Eat a healthy, sensible breakfast and lunch Many people choose to starve themselves through the day so they can have more room for the scrumptious meal. This will lead to binge eating. Instead, have a small, healthy breakfast and lunch. Drink water throughout the day to keep you from overeating or consuming empty calories from soda or alcohol. This will help you feel more satisfied so you won't overeat at dinner.
Chew your meal slowly Thanksgiving is the ideal time to sit down, eat your meal slowly and relish every bite. You will feel fuller faster, which will help you avoid overeating. Food is a wonderful part of Thanksgiving, but so is spending time with family and friends. Put down the fork for a few minutes, join the conversation, and you will eat less without noticing it.
Use smaller plates Depending on where you go for Thanksgiving it may be impossible but, if you are the host or your family doesn't mind, consider grabbing a smaller plate for your meal. You will feel like you are eating more than your actually are and will be less likely to overeat.
Create a tiny, portioned smorgasbord Between all of the delectable food, your great aunt asking if you tried her pie yet, and all of the goodies being passed your way, it is easy to be tempted to eat everything. Instead of having a big meal of turkey and potatoes and then trying everything else on top of it, have a little bit of everything. On most days, you should try to eat more vegetables and fruits than anything else, but on Thanksgiving, make it your goal to avoid overeating. Allow yourself a spoonful or two of everything you love, pass over what you don't. You will end up feeling satisfied and will get to try everything you want without stuffing yourself silly.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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