Thanksgiving only comes around once a year, and what do we usually do? Splurge, right? We justify by saying “it is only one day, what can it really do to my waistline?”

Gaining weight during the holiday season seems like something that just happens like it’s part of the tradition. It is very common for most of us to pack on at least a pound (or two or three or more) during the holidays. But it doesn’t stop there – we usually keep the extra weight permanently.

But as many experts agree Thanksgiving does not have to sabotage your weight and make your waistline bigger. With a little knowledge and forethought, you can satisfy your tasty desires for traditional favorites and enjoy your Thanksgiving feast guilt-free. Think about it… being stuffed is a good idea only if you are the turkey!

Here are the top 6 tips for a thinner thanksgiving….

Here are the 6 BIG tips for a HEALTHIER + THINNER Thanksgiving that are easy to do and will keep you on track.

1. Eat a Healthy Breakfast.

Skipping breakfast is never a good idea on any day. You might think you are saving up calories for a big lunch or dinner but in fact, you are sending your body into a day of being off balance and starvation. This is not just bad overall but it increases the cravings throughout the day and decreases your ability to have control how much you eat.

Start your day with a small healthy but satisfying breakfast like an egg with a slice of 100% whole-grain toast, or one of my delicious meal replacement smoothies … this way won’t be starving when you arrive at the festivities.

If you eat a meal with protein, good fats, and fiber, your body will be happy, blood sugar stable and you will have much more control over your Thanksgiving dinner plate.

2. Lighten the Load

Processed food is notoriously made with more bad fats, sugars and has more calories. Whether you are a host or a guest, you can make most recipes healthier and with a whole lost less of the sugars, fats, and calories.

Here is what I suggest.

Use fat-free chicken broth for gravy.
Use healthy sugar substitutes and/or applesauce instead of oil in baked goods.
Use less oil and butter wherever you can.
Try plain yogurt or fat-free sour cream in creamy dips, mashed potatoes, and casseroles.

Need some sugar alternatives? Click here.

3. Watch Your Portions

Before you fill your plate at Thanksgiving dinner (or anytime), survey the entire menu or buffet table and decide what you want to have before you start dishing it up on your plate. Then select reasonable-sized portions of foods you cannot live without. At restaurants, ask for 1/2 to be served and 1/2 to be packed to go (this is a great tip for your waistline all year long and whenever eating out).

Another reliable way to serve up less food is to use a smaller plate. This gives the illusion of having more so that ‘d’ word (deprivation) doesn’t even become a thought. You’ll get full with the smaller amounts and will eat less overall. (And another great year-round tip)

4. Savor Your Food

Don’t inhale your food. Eating fast leads to eating more and that will lead to that holiday weight gain. Eating slower allows us to savor each bite and enjoy all the flavors in the food (which is really what we enjoy about all those holiday foods isn’t it? So why rush eating.).

Digestion begins in our mouths. Slow down to completely chew your food, allowing for the release of digestive enzymes that break down food. Because digestion is much more efficient when we chew our food more thoroughly, our body will begin to feel wonderfully lighter. If you can’t get 30+ chews per bite, try doubling what you do on average. If you normally do 6 chews, do 12 and keep it going. Pay special attention to doing a lot of chewing with those whole grains, nuts, and meats.

5. Easy-Does-It on the Drinks

Do not forget those alcohol and other beverage calories that can add up quickly. It is easy to add 100’s of calories with one small drink and over the course of a month gathering 1000’s and 1,000’s.

Try a wine or a wine spritzer and be smart with the mixers and use a smaller glass. Drink sparkling water between alcoholic drinks and stay hydrated while you limit the alcohol calories (and stay sober too).

I’ve found a super good no-added sugar, clean crafted wine too and I’m now obsessed. Click here and check them out https://scoutandcellar.com.

6. Get Moving

“Create a calorie deficit by exercising to burn off extra calories before you ever indulge in your favorite foods,” suggests Connie Diekman, MEd, RD, former president of the American Dietetic Association (ADA).

“‘Eat less and exercise more'” is the winning formula to prevent weight gain during the holidays,” Diekman says. “Increase your steps or lengthen your fitness routine the weeks ahead and especially the day of the feast.”

Create some good family time by walking or an adventure with kids soon after you eat. It is a great way to build a relationship, help your digestions kick into high gear and burn some of those freshly eaten calories.

BONUS TIP (this one could make all the difference)

7. Have a Game Plan for Leftovers

One meal does not change our body, weight or really have that great of an impact. It is what we do before and after that really counts.

One of the biggest weight-gaining things people do over the holidays is to have too many leftovers from the high-caloric, high-fat, high-sugar, Thanksgiving dinner that they eat for days if not weeks. Remember, if it is in front of us, we will eat it.

Depending on if you are in weight-loss mode or maintaining or if you have health issues like Type-2 diabetes and you don’t want to fall back into the sugar addiction cycle, there are some options for you.

If you are the host, be sure to have plenty of to-go boxes or baggies so you can pack up all the leftovers while cleaning up and send out them out the door as people leave. If you are a guest, decline taking home leftovers, even if you have to decline multiple times (LOL). This will leave nothing to tempt you and you can have a great memory of Thanksgiving and the food you enjoyed.
Keep only a healthy serving of leftovers. Divide leftovers into 1/2 cup servings. Keep and refrigerate enough for one day. Even if you binge the next morning, you only have so much to binge on.
Package up a full plate and send over to an elderly neighbor, relative or friend who may not have been able to make dinner so they can enjoy the leftovers.
Rethink leftovers and think beyond just reheating. Turn leftovers into healthy dishes. Here are some ideas:
- Make some healthy chili using leftover turkey instead of ground beef.
- Add 3 ounces turkey, spinach or arugula, 1-2 tablespoons cranberry sauce, in a healthy, lettuce wrap or cup for a healthy ‘sandwich’.
- Mix in a 1/2 cup of cooked, mashed cauliflower with 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes.