Top Tips for Guilt-Free Thanksgiving Eating
At this time of year, when thoughts focus on family and food, I'd like to "weigh in" (sorry!) with a few thoughts of my own.
Along with this, I'd like to wish all of you and your families a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving and upcoming holiday season. I thought I'd share my top five ways to enjoy Thanksgiving without deprivation. They work for me, and perhaps for you, too! Let me know your own ideas.
For more practical ideas, check out our iVillage slide show on Thanksgiving: Is It Worth the Splurge?
- Make a mental adjustment: focus on the social part of Thanksgiving, and the pleasure of seeing friends and family, and look at the food as an enjoyable and important part of the day - but not the main event.
- Take a look at all the foods you can choose from before serving yourself: Barter carefully, and select those of most "taste value" to you. You're not obligated to consume everything on the table!
- Be a taster: Just a spoonful is usually enough. It's the first bite or two that gives us the most pleasure.
- Don't starve yourself all day in preparation for a giant meal: This plan always backfires. We all think we're saving calories for the "big dinner", but truly, we just fuel a larger appetite. It's our biology - after a period of food restriction (like all day without eating), when we finally get food, we are "overhungry" to make up for the deficit, and actually have a stimulated appetite. So, eat modestly, at least once (if your meal is in the early or mid afternoon) or twice (eating in the later afternoon, or evening).
- Take a 30 Minute Walk Before or After the Meal: Now 30 minutes isn't going to burn off a slab of pecan pie, but what it WILL do is keep you connected to a plan of moderation. Best is a walk after the meal, to help digestion, and get some closure to the meal, but any time is great.
Happy Thanksgiving!
