Thanksgiving Survival Guide 101
How to Get Through Thanksgiving Without Paying for it Later
Well, Thanksgiving is here again and a lot of people are concerned about putting on holiday weight. We all know how easy it is to snack all day and then gorge yourself at dinner. Here are some easy ways to still enjoy the great food and not eat yourself sick:
- Exercise in the morning. It will give you energy that will last throughout the day. It will also speed up your metabolism, burn calories, and relieve stress. It could be as simple as walking around your neighborhood for 20-30 minutes, or entering your local Turkey Trot 10k. Just get out there and move!
- Don’t skip breakfast. Eating a healthy breakfast helps boost your metabolism. I recommend starting your day with oatmeal, eggs, a smoothie, or something else nutritionally dense to keep you going. Try to avoid refined sugar and flour, which don’t keep you full long and can cause weight gain. Instead, make sure to include a little protein, which will keep you full longer and give you more energy. I like to add a little almond butter and chia to my oatmeal, or some healthy plant based protein powder to my smoothies. A power breakfast along with a full lunch a few hours before Thanksgiving dinner, instead of the normal constant snacking ritual, will ensure you don’t pack in the calories throughout the day, and help keep you from uncontrollable binging at dinner.
- Getting adequate sleep and managing stress are also key aspects to keeping off weight. Sleep deprivation cannot only lead to weight gain, but can also cause depression, pain, inflammation, and other health issues. Aim for seven to eight hours.
- Thanksgiving Dinner is a time to enjoy family, friends, and good food. If you’re concerned about overeating, focus on eating more protein and vegetables than carbs and sugar. For example enjoy as much turkey, salad (with minimal dressing), and sweet potatoes (minus the butter, sugar, and marshmallows) as you like, but eat bread, mashed potatoes, and desserts sparingly.