Everyone has a favorite dish (or two, or three) that they look forward to every year on Thanksgiving. Maybe it’s Aunt Moe’s homemade mashed potatoes and gravy, Grandma’s freshly baked pumpkin pie or the delicious stuffing. While it can be exciting to anticipate these annual dishes, it can also be very easy to overindulge on this day. Before you reach for your Thanksgiving stretchy pants, here are three simple tips that you can implement this holiday to avoid overdoing it:
1) Smaller plates
Instead of reaching for the large dinner plates this year, try setting the table with smaller ones. One of the great benefits of using a smaller plate is that the portions will naturally be smaller, which leads to fewer consumed calories. Just make sure to hold off on seconds.
2) Easy on the starches
Another strategy to avoid overdoing it on Thanksgiving is to go easy on the starchy foods, such as mashed potatoes, stuffing, casserole, etc. If you normally take a large scoop of each, try a half scoop this year. Because starchy foods are generally very high in calories, a lighter consumption will lead to fewer overall calories and not feeling quite as full.
3) Choose one dessert
For lovers of sweets, this tip is probably one of the hardest to adhere to. Instead of reaching for a slice of each pie this year, choose your favorite or the one you don’t normally get to enjoy, and stick to one serving. If it’s hard to choose a favorite, you can also take a very thin slice of a few different ones to make one piece.
One last thing to remember …
Before you sit down for Thanksgiving this year, keep in mind that although this holiday only comes around once a year, the same doesn’t apply to these foods. Even though every day isn’t complete with a 10-pound turkey and its side dishes, Thanksgiving food can be accessed every day at the grocery store. Adopting this mentality can help you approach the holiday like it’s just another meal and decrease the urge to eat like you may never eat another Thanksgiving again.
Jason DeHenzel has trained some of New York’s most prestigious clients, including high-profile lawyers, advertising executives, movie producers and musicians. Sophie DeHenzel is a Pn1-certified nutritionist and former downhill ski racer. The pair founded DeHenzel Training Systems, a 2015 Home-Based Business of the Year from the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce. DeHenzel Training Systems develops customized fitness plans for clients of different abilities, experience and commitment. Find out more at dtsnova.com.
