Thanksgiving is a day where we appreciate the value of family and friends in our lives. It is also a day that is centered on food and marks the beginning of a food-filled holiday season. You may find it difficult to maintain healthy habits and continue your fitness goals. As per the reports given by Calorie Control Council, the average American consumes about 4500 calories on Thanksgiving dinner alone.
Having a healthy Thanksgiving does not mean giving up on your favorites but rather making small modifications towards better, healthier choices. Here are a few tips that will help you enjoy Thanksgiving Day whilst continuing to remain healthy.
Avoid an Empty Stomach for Thanksgiving Dinner
Don’t skip breakfast or lunch in order to make room for your Thanksgiving dinner. When you skip a meal, your body fails to receive the energy it requires, making you feel drained and moody. This may increase your chances of overeating. Try opting for a breakfast that is high in protein so that it keeps you full, lowering your chances of gorging during Thanksgiving.
Buy Free-Range Turkey Over Conventional Turkey
Free-range turkey is not as expensive as an organic turkey but still has incredible qualities. Sustainably raised Turkeys are antibiotic-free, hormone-free, and pesticide-free. It is just going to be a much healthier bird which means that your body will thank you for making better choices. Apart from choosing free-range Turkey, you can also tweak your turkey by eating the meat and avoiding the fat trimmings of the skin.
Cut Down On Sugar and Sugary Drinks
Instead of drinking sugar-filled punches and sodas, opt for natural fruit juices, tea, coffee, sodas sweetened with stevia, and flavored sparkling water. Not only will you be reducing your sugar intake but will also avoid consuming toxins such as high fructose corn syrup or Neurotoxin such as aspartame which is usually found in diet sodas. Yes, you will still have sugar from the fruit juice but a significantly lower amount by making that small change. Likewise, substitute your desserts for a fruit bowl. Instead of going for that apple pie, go for apples with a dash of cinnamon
Don’t Skip Your Workout
A lot of us skip working out on holidays like Thanksgiving just because of the hustle and bustle of going someplace or prepping up for meals. Exercising will not just keep you healthy but can also make you crave healthy food. According to research conducted by the Journal of American College of Nutrition, having a regular exercise regime can increase the voluntary consumption of fruits and vegetables. You know that your body needs exercise on Thanksgiving more than any other day so get that exercise in and don’t let that slip by you.
Remain Mindful at The Dinner Table
When you are eating on Thanksgiving dinner, you can fill up on the meats and vegetables and stay away from the starchy carbs such as mashed potatoes. You don’t have to completely avoid the things that you really like but try to make the main portion of your meals significantly healthy. If you are invited to a Thanksgiving dinner, take with you a healthy dish or a better quality dessert such as one that is lower in sugar than some of the dishes on the table.
Drink Loads of Water
According to NCBI, people who consume water before each meal lose more weight than those who do not. Sipping water during Thanksgiving dinner can also make you feel fuller, preventing you from overindulging. Many consume large amounts of alcohol during Thanksgiving. Seasonal beers such as pumpkin beer are filled with calories that will just add to your already calorie-filled plate. Drink water instead as it is calorie-free and can help you keep those extra pounds off your body.
Focus on Your Family and Friends
Thanksgiving is all about appreciating your friends and family and is meant to take the time to give thanks to the people you cherish the most. It is not always about food and drinks. Take with you some family videos or board games and spend quality time with them. If you want to make Thanksgiving healthier for everyone, create an activity-based family tradition by starting a family football match or going for a family stroll after dinner. Take the time to express gratitude to the ones around you and everything there is to be thankful for.
You don’t have to abandon the food that you love. The best diet is the one that you don’t know you’re on. Click here to know how you can achieve rapid weight loss while still being able to enjoy the foods you love. Our licensed medical providers will work out a personalized weight loss plan that is right for you. Visit our Arizona weight loss clinic or book an online consultation with us.
