The Thanksgiving Day meal is typically the biggest meal of the year filled with high-calorie foods like pies, crescent rolls, creamed corn, and much more. No matter how good we might be throughout the year, Thanksgiving tends to be a day of indulgence. The truth is, having a day like this every now and then isn’t a bad thing; the problem is that our Thanksgiving attitude often tends to stretch itself all the way through New Year’s Day!
Here are a few tips to make your Thanksgiving feast (and the rest of the holiday season) a healthy one:
- Eat breakfast – It sounds simple, but eating a healthy breakfast is a great way to start your Thanksgiving day because you won’t be starving when it comes to mealtime! “Saving up” for the big meal usually means a lot more calories!
- Be active – Help offset the inevitable extra calories with a good workout to start your day and then plan a family walk or game of flag football after the big meal.
- Healthy swaps – Find healthy modifications to use in your recipes. Lower in fat or sugar doesn’t have to mean less flavor!
- The un-casserole – That green bean casserole is delicious, but so are sauteed green beans with a little olive oil and garlic. Throw in some sliced almonds for a healthy side!
- Portion control – Don’t waste your calories on foods you can enjoy all year long. Instead, sample the unique flavors of the season in small portions.
- Savor your meal – It takes a long time to prepare this meal, so make sure to take the time to enjoy it. Thanksgiving is famous for second and third helpings. Rather than excessive indulgence this time, eat slowly and leave the table feeling comfortable.
Whatever steps you take to make your Thanksgiving healthy, remember what the day is ultimately about: family, friends and thankfulness. Take time to focus more on those things and let the feast be an added blessing!
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