Tips on consuming 100's of less calories this Thanksgiving

When you think of a feast, you may think of all the amazing food that accompanies a Thanksgiving dinner; the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied yams, green bean casserole, rolls, and of course pumpkin pie! So, how do you enjoy a Thanksgiving feast without suffering from the “Thanksgiving coma?” Well, here are a few calorie saving tips to consider as you look forward to that splendid day.

-         Eat breakfast – Instead of starving yourself until the actual feast, eat a breakfast full of nutrients. When you wait until you’re starving to eat, your body will store most of those calories as fat. By eating a healthy breakfast, you give your metabolism a jump-start.

-         Pass on the butter – Be aware of how much butter you’re actually putting in all of your dishes. You can cut it in half and it will still taste fantastic. Mashed potatoes for example are smothered in gravy, which diminishes the need for more butter in the potatoes. You won’t even taste the difference.

-         Opt for a small plate – It will fill up faster and look full, but you will notice that you will feel satisfied just the same. Only eat until you’re satisfied, not stuffed. Enjoy every bite and when you feel satisfied, stop eating.

-         Don’t graze – How often does our Thanksgiving feast seem to last all day? From morning to very late in the evening we’re eating here a little, there a little. Consider limiting yourself and when you do feel the urge to eat, nibble on a veggie tray. Eating vegetables will help you feel satisfied sooner.

-         Talk more – Yes, Thanksgiving is a time to eat a wonderful meal, but it’s also a time to share with our loved ones. Take advantage of this time and socialize. If you’re focusing on your conversations, you won’t be prone to eating so much.

-         Choose water – Drink water throughout the day and make that your selection to accompany your turkey and mashed potatoes. It is very easy to consume a great deal of calories on soda, juice, and alcohol.

-         Select the white meat – When you’re choosing the meat to put on your plate, find the white meat. White meat is considerably lower in calories than dark meat. They both taste delicious, but when your calorie counting, this one choice can definitely put you ahead!

-         Suggest more veggies – Be a part of the meal planning and suggest having more nutrient-filled sides. Instead of candied yams and jell-o covered in whipped cream. If you’re a guest offer to bring a side dish that you know is healthy and skip the sweet side dishes.

-         Be active – The desire to sleep off the turkey is very tempting. Instead, throw on your tennis shoes and go for a walk. You can also play outdoors, help with clean-up, or just enjoy the day with loved ones by not sleeping it away.

Most important give thanks to all of those in your life who make a difference. This is a very special time of year, make the most of it! Happy Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

            Dr. Nate Berrett