4 Tips for a Healthy Thanksgiving
Turkey day is upon us and we all know how easy it is to overindulge in sweets and larger-than-life portions of stuffing and sweet potato casserole. Here are four tips to help you nourish your body this Thanksgiving holiday and avoid the dreaded food coma:
If you want to go in for seconds, wait 20 minutes
According to WebMD, “Nerves in the stomach send signals to the brain that you’re full, but these signals can take up to 20 minutes to communicate—and by that time, you may have already eaten too much.” Waiting 20 minutes in between servings allows adequate time for your brain to communicate hunger and satiety with your digestive system.
Make plenty of room for veggies
In fact, your vegetables should make up about a third of your plate! Fill up your plate with non-starchy vegetables, including Brussels sprouts, green beans, bell peppers, leafy greens, etc. Eat your veggies first, then meat, then starches, and then dessert if you have room (but let’s be honest, there’s always room for dessert).
Get moving!
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “…being active is your secret holiday weapon; it can help make up for eating more than usual and reduce stress during this most stressful time of year.” Exercise will help you properly digest all of that turkey and will keep you in good spirits for the holiday. Take some time to yourself if you can on Thanksgiving day to take a walk, get a 30-minute workout in, or just get moving!
Enjoy yourself
The bottom line is that the holidays are meant for family, friends, and connection, not for tracking calories. Enjoy the time you spend resting or connecting with loved ones and give yourself permission to indulge in the food you love!
