Ah, Thanksgiving is just around the corner.
It’s a day when millions of Americans will loosen their belts, pretend to like their in-laws, and inevitably over-consumer thousands of calories.
In fact, the Calorie Control Council says that the average American consumes over 4,500 calories on Turkey Day. One also has to consider the extra-thousand or so calories that consumed through leftovers.
With all the delicious options on the table during the holiday season, it almost seems inevitable to put on the infamous “festive 15.”
However, with a little discipline and a proper game plan one can avoid the seemingly unavoidable bloating on Thanksgiving.
A good way to do this is to eat a good breakfast before your holiday feast. An important meal every day, breakfast an even more important meal on Thanksgiving.
Avoiding breakfast may lead to binging on fatty food during your feast, so in an effort to save calories, it’s important to eat at least a small breakfast the morning of Thanksgiving.
Another catalyst for holiday over-eating is alcohol.
Health experts agree that it’s important to be aware of how much alcohol you consume before and during your Thanksgiving meal.
A recent study conducted by Livestrong pointed out that a hunger-increasing hormone called gelanin is produced during alcohol consumption.
A good way to curb the effects of alcohol during your festivities is to drink water throughout the meal.
Water not only keeps you hydrated, but it also keeps you satiated as well.
Health experts also assert that it’s important not to forget the vegetables on your plate.
They suggest to fill half your plate with vegetables and other high-fiber foods, so that it’s okay to eat indulge in the high fats and sugary foods later in the meal.
It’s also important to make some of your holiday classics a little healthier.
For example, instead of loads of butter on your mashed potatoes, try chicken broth or roasted garlic.
Likewise, try substituting Greek yogurt for sour cream in dips and mixes.
There are many food and drink variations that one can take in order to stave off extra-Thanksgiving calories, but experts say that it’s important to have the right holiday-eating mindset.
Don’t over-do it.
Chances are that your Thanksgiving meal isn’t going to be your last meal, so with that in mind, enjoy all the great food in moderation.
