7 Tips for a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving

We're heading into what I’ve affectionately named the Super Bowl of Eating and I am going to share some tips for how to enjoy the holiday without feeling stuffed or overdoing it. It feels like this year things are getting back to holidays and memories of the past – households are gathering again filled with all our favorite dishes.

It can be tempting over the holiday that is known to be laden with calories, sedentary activities, and cheer to think to yourself, “Oh it’s the holidays – I am going to eat what I want and worry about it later.” The challenge is the thoughts and emotions we feel “later” tend to be filled with shame and guilt for overdoing it.

7 Tips For a Happy and Healthy Holiday

Here are my tips to enjoy the holiday – time with family, friends, enjoy good food, make memories – but avoid the feelings of being stuffed and feeling shame and guilt later.

1. Ask yourself if it’s worth it.

Think about dishes you are looking forward to and whether you truly enjoy the dishes. If you love pumpkin pie or dressing, then you should have a portion of them on your plate to enjoy. However, some dishes and appetizers, think cheese and crackers, mashed potatoes, rolls, you might have more often throughout the year so maybe they aren’t worth eating on Thanksgiving. Ask yourself if the food you are serving up is worth it to you, if you think “yes!” then go ahead and serve yourself some.

2. Don’t forget to drink water!

So many dishes that grace the Thanksgiving spread are loaded with salt and this doesn’t even include all the cocktails, punches, and alcoholic drinks we love this time of year. Be conscious about drinking water throughout the day leading up to your Thanksgiving meal. This will help with feelings of bloat from all the salt and help your body digest all the food we enjoy.

3. Bring your own.

Offer to bring a dish to the gathering. This allows you to cook something to share that you know you will enjoy. Perhaps you even decide what dish to bring based on what you think might be missing as an appetizer or side dish at the meal, perhaps you want something packed with veggies or lighter or just a family favorite you enjoy.

4. The small taster plate.

Grab salad plate or much smaller dinner plate and scoop a small taste of all the dishes onto the plate. Now, with your taster plate you can taste each dish and then decide what you’d like to go back and get a second helping. The smaller plate helps keep the scoop side in check and you still get to taste everything to decide what is truly worth it.

5. Embrace seasonal produce.

There are so many exciting and delicious fruits and vegetables available this time of year. Celebrate and enjoy the seasonal produce! Whether it is Brussel sprouts, hearty dark leafy greens, green beans, winter squashes or pomegranate seeds and cranberries. All the produce is a great way to get in more fiber, vitamins and minerals; plus they just taste great.

6. Eat 3 meals that day.

Don’t starve ahead of the big meal! If you do only one of these tips, let it be this. It is one day and one meal, don’t get into the mindset that you should save all your calories for that meal. Instead, nourish your body during the day with a more normal eating routine for you. Make sure you aren’t heading into the Thanksgiving meal too hunger where you might make decisions around food that isn’t based on what you’ll enjoy eating but rather just pure hunger. Focus your other meals of the day on eating some protein, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables.

7. Get some movement in.

You can’t out exercise what you eat and Thanksgiving is no exception so don’t give that strategy a moment more of your time. I would encourage you to move your body that day – either before the big meal or after, or both! Stick with your normal routine for exercise and movement and you may find it helps you feel more in control of the day and gives you more confidence heading into a big meal. If you can, I’d recommend going for a walk or doing something to move after the big meal. This will help your body begin to digest all the food and alleviate any discomfort from overeating (if it happens).

I hope you have a happy and joyful holiday filled with laughter, friendship, and good memories.