Tips for a Healthy Thanksgiving!
(From country living magazine.)
Thanksgiving is almost here!
The holidays are officially starting, which means spending time with family and friends, bundling up, and of course lots of good food. :)
It can be hard to navigate the holiday season, especially when thinking about health goals or having a positive relationship with food. Lots of sweets and comfort foods around can make it difficult to continue with normal habits and can trigger insecurity around food.
It’s important to remember that just like any journey, it’s all about the little steps that take you to where you want to be. Instead of the all-or-nothing approach many of us would normally take towards food, why don’t we focus on little changes we can make to feel most confident?
Here are some tips to have a healthy & stress free holiday:
Don’t restrict. Biggest piece of advice is to eat breakfast the morning of. There’s no such thing as “saving calories.” If you restrict, and skip meals, you’ll be extra hungry by the time the meal rolls around, and will therefore be more likely to overeat. Eat a nourishing breakfast and lunch throughout the day. Not only do you want to focus on diminishing hunger, but you’ll want to be able to enjoy the time with your loved ones later on!
Be mindful. Bring mindfulness to eating by savoring your foods and chewing slowly. This will help you tune into your hunger, fullness, and satiety cues so you’ll know whether or not you need seconds.
Balance your plate. The holidays are a time for celebration and spending time with people you love, but that doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to have your holiday favorites. Understand that one food or one meal will not ruin your progress. Balancing your plate is key so that you can still get the satisfaction of enjoying your holiday meal, but you prioritize nutrition in the process. A good rule of thumb is to fill half your plate with veggies, ¼ plate with protein, and ¼ plate with starch.
Move your body. Adding movement to your day is a great way to get the metabolism going, balance your blood sugar, pick your mood up, and can be a great activity to do with the family while you’re waiting on your turkey to cook!
Recommit to your health. Remember that even in moments where you feel like you overate, your body still deserves to be nourished. Starting your next day with a balanced, nutritious meal will help you move away from the black and white thinking and develop a better relationship with food!
These tips don’t just apply for Thanksgiving—think about balancing your plate, nourishing and moving your body, and being mindful throughout every occasion. Putting these small changes into practice as much as you can is the best way to turn them into a lifestyle!
And here’s proof that you can enjoy the holidays and still be healthy :) Here are some fun and healthy ideas to bring to your holiday party:
Make a charcuterie board with Mary's Gone Crackers/Simple Mills rosemary crackers, manchego cheese, almonds, carrot & celery sticks, hummus, apple slices, and olives.
Make an apple sangria with 1 bottle of white wine, 1 cup sparkling water, 2 medium sliced apples, 1 sliced orange, and ¼ tsp cinnamon.
Create a snack mix with cashews, pecans, pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, and dried apricots.
Dip strawberries or orange slices in melted dark chocolate and chopped nuts for a sweet treat.
Hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving!
By Jessica Kaplan