Thanksgiving only comes around once a year, so why not go ahead and splurge? Because gaining a few pounds during the holiday season is a national pastime. Year after year, most of us pack on at least a pound, some even gain more, during the holidays and keep the extra weight permanently. But Thanksgiving does not have to sabotage your weight, experts say. With a little know-how, you can satisfy your desire for traditional favourites and still enjoy a guilt-free Thanksgiving dinner. After all, being stuffed is a good idea if you are a turkey! Here are few tips and tricks that you need to follow if you’re trying not to gain weight this Thanksgiving. Scroll down to read!
Get Active
Prepare a calorie deficit diet by exercising to burn off extra calories before you devour your favourite foods, suggests Connie Diekman, MEd, RD, former president of the American Dietic Association (ADA).
“Eating less and exercising more is the winning formula to prevent weight gain during holidays. You should really focus on increasing your steps or lengthen your fitness routine the weeks ahead and especially the day of the feast.
Make fitness a family adventure, recommends Susan Finn, PhD, RD, chair of the American Council on Fitness and Nutrition. “Take a walk early in the day and then again after dinner. It is a wonderful way of families to get physical activity and enjoy the holiday together.
Eat Breakfast
Never skip your breakfast let alone on a Thanksgiving day! You might think skipping breakfast makes sense to save up calories for the big meal. Experts suggests eating a small meal in the morning can give you more control over your appetite. Start your day with a small but satisfying breakfast, such as an egg with a slice of whole-wheat toast, or a bowl of oats with low-fat milk or almond milk, so you won’t be starving yourself when you arrive at the gathering.
Lighten Up
Whether you’re hosting a traditional Thanksgiving dinner or keeping it casual, make your recipes healthier with less fat, sugar and calories. “There is more sugar and fat in most recipes than is needed, and no one will notice the difference if you skim calories by using lower calorie ingredients,” says Diekman. Here are some suggestions to keep your Thanksgiving dinner healthier but delicious.
• You can use fat-free chicken broth to baste the turkey and make gravy
• Use sugar substitutes in place of sugar and/or fruit purees instead of oil on baked goods.
• Use plain yogurt or fat-free sour cream in creamy dips, mashed potatoes and casseroles
• Reduce oil and butter wherever you can.
Examine Your Portions
Thanksgiving turkey are bountiful and beautiful displays of traditional family favourites. Before you fill your plate, survey the buffet table and decide what you’re going to choose. Then select reasonable-sized portions if foods you cannot live without. Also, be a little wise and don’t waste your calories on foods that you can have all year long! Fill your plate with small portions of holiday favourites that only come around once a year so you can enjoy desirable, traditional foods.
Slowly Savor
Slowly savour the deliciousness of Thanksgiving food. Eat slowly, putting your fork down between bites, and tasting each mouthful is one of the easiest ways to enjoy your meal and feel satisfied with one plate full of food, experts say. Choosing whole grains, vegetables, fruits, broth-based soups, salads, and other foods wit lots of water and fiber add to the feeling of fullness. Spread out the food and fun all day long.
Go Easy on Alcohol
Don’t forget alcohol calories that can add up quickly. Instead of going crazy over alcohol, have a glass of wine or wine spritzer and between alcoholic drinks, enjoy sparkling water. This way you you’ll be hydrated, limit alcohol calories and stay sober. If you want to stock a range of drinks for the big day, avail Thanksgiving discount codes to enjoy deep discounts on your order.
Be Realistic
The holiday season is a time for celebration. With hectic schedules and so many extra temptations, this is a good time to strive for weight maintenance instead of weight loss. Shift your mind from losing weight to maintaining weight at this time of the year. You will be ahead of the game if you avoid gaining any weight over the holidays. With that being said, you shouldn’t starve yourself of feel pressure to kill your cravings! Enjoy this day to heart’s content with your family and friends, Happy Thanksgiving!