Easy Ways To Make Healthier Food Choices on Thanksgiving:
- Turkey - It's a good choice if cooked without butter. Use a little olive oil and spices like thyme and sage for a tasty, but healthier meat.
- Sweet Potatoes - Swap mashed potatoes and sweet potato casseroles for a simple baked sweet potato. They are full of flavor, vitamins and fiber, without the fat.
- Vegetables - Even veggies can be bad for you if you cook them in butter. Ditch the green bean casserole and corn and serve steamed veggies or a salad with a light vinagrette dressing.
- Jello- Keep it simple and use only fat-free, sugar-free versions to bring color and flavor to your Thanksgiving meal.
- Rolls - If you must have bread with your meal, make sure it is whole wheat so you get the nutrients you need from it. Either skip the butter altogether or add asmall amount of smart balance light or a similar butter-tasting product.
- Dessert - Try fruit, sugar-free pudding, no-sugar-added apple pie or a lowfat pumpkin cheesecake to end on a sweet note without ending your diet.
Here are some things you can cut or replace on Thanksgiving Day to reduce your caloric intake:
- Skip the roll and save 150 calories.
- Hold the butter and save 185 calories.
- Replace the sweet potato casserole with a plain baked sweet potato and save 280 calories.
- Replace pumpkin pie with a low fat pumpkin cheesecake and save 350 calories.
- Skip snacking on chip and save 150 calories per serving.
- Skip nibbling on just 2 cookies and save 240 calories.
- Skip the butter on your veggies and steam them to save 185 calories.
- Replace cranberry sauce with fresh cranberries and save 370 calories.
Keep in mind that eating sweets can make you crave sweets. So if you think it is harmless to eat sweets just this one day, think again. Fro some people it can set them back for days, weeks or even months because the sugar cravings are difficult to ignore.
Stop When You're Full: It sounds obvious, but stopping when you're full is probably one of the harder things to do at the Thanksgiving table when everyone else is helping themselves to seconds. It will be easier to stop if you slow down, drink water,
Say No: Some people show their love through food. Others may feel threatened by your diet and pile food onto your plate because it makes them feel better about themselves. What you put in your body is your business. Rehearse politely saying "no" in your head. If you've let your hosts know that you're on a diet, they shouldn't take offense at your abstaining from another round of gravy-soaked mashed potatoes.
Eat Slowly: It takes 20 minutes for your brain to register that you're full. So, savor your food, drink lots of water and slow down. Give your mind a chance to catch up with your body.
Wear Snug Clothing: Choose a snug pair of jeans over comfy sweatpants for your dinner attire. Once you start feeling the pinch of your waistline, you'll definitely stop eating.
