This Thanksgiving, the average American will consume approximately 4,500 calories. I am not here to tell you not to belly up to the table for a full plate of turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, hot rolls, pecan pie, peach pie, apple pie, sweet potato pie, and pumpkin pie. I am not going to suggest you not go back for seconds and thirds and tenths. I won't even tell you not to pass out in a food coma in front of the television afterward, only waking up occasionally to eat more pie. This, after all, is how we pay homage to the first Thanksgiving.
In all seriousness, while consuming almost three days worth of food in one meal is not the wisest choice, there haven't yet been any documented cases of someone literally exploding from too much turkey. You are more likely to be injured in a house fire while cooking the bird than by eating it. However, Thanksgiving is just the beginning of a holiday season that honors food above fitness. It has become accepted and expected to put on weight over the holidays. How can you not when there is so much chocolate, wine, cheese, and pie, glorious pie, to go around? Just this last weekend, I baked two cakes, not because we needed cake, but because it was cold outside. The logic is there somewhere.
You can find plenty of advice on how to avoid excess calorie consumption on Thanksgiving Day. Unfortunately, tips like "Don't eat so much," or "Stop eating when you are full," are no match for "Look how much gravy we have. You should have more."
You know it. I know it. You are going to overeat on Thanksgiving. Go ahead and wear your stretchy pants to the table. Challenge your uncle to a "who can eat the most deviled eggs" contest. And then, when it is all over, lay down in a heap in the middle of the floor, unable to move or speak, except to moan about how you shouldn't have eaten so much and ask if there is any cranberry sauce leftover.
Still, there are a few things you can do to keep from gaining five pounds over the four day weekend. Don't worry. None of these tips include using a smaller plate to trick yourself into eating less. We all know that only means you take six trips around the table instead of three.
Eat Breakfast
Logic dictates that you should skip breakfast since you are going to eat so much later in the day. However, if you skip breakfast, you will be hungrier and will then eat more. Furthermore, your brain will tell you it is okay to have a fourth helping of green bean casserole because you skipped your 90 calorie greek yogurt that morning. Just go ahead and have breakfast. If nothing else, you can blame screaming at your kids all morning on them being so irritating rather than on you being hungry.
Don't Drink Calories
Just drink water during your meal, okay? There really is no rational reason to drink soda or to load up a perfectly good iced tea with mounds of sugar. You say you don't like water? Drink it anyway. It's good for you. And then after dinner, while you're watching football, cleaning the kitchen, complaining about how no one is helping with the clean up, or some combination of the three, you maybe don't have to down a six-pack or several glasses of wine. And for the love of all that is good and wholesome, skip the egg nog.
Go For a Walk
How about a new family tradition? After dinner, everyone goes for a walk, tosses the football around, or does anything other than patting their stomachs and saying things like, "Let's not put everything away. We might want more later." Of course, it is cold outside, which is the #1 excuse for never leaving the house. I will be getting my exercise by Black Friday shopping. At 4 PM on Thursday. Just like the Pilgrims.
You can find plenty of advice on how to avoid excess calorie consumption on Thanksgiving Day. Unfortunately, tips like "Don't eat so much," or "Stop eating when you are full," are no match for "Look how much gravy we have. You should have more."
You know it. I know it. You are going to overeat on Thanksgiving. Go ahead and wear your stretchy pants to the table. Challenge your uncle to a "who can eat the most deviled eggs" contest. And then, when it is all over, lay down in a heap in the middle of the floor, unable to move or speak, except to moan about how you shouldn't have eaten so much and ask if there is any cranberry sauce leftover.
Still, there are a few things you can do to keep from gaining five pounds over the four day weekend. Don't worry. None of these tips include using a smaller plate to trick yourself into eating less. We all know that only means you take six trips around the table instead of three.
Eat Breakfast
Logic dictates that you should skip breakfast since you are going to eat so much later in the day. However, if you skip breakfast, you will be hungrier and will then eat more. Furthermore, your brain will tell you it is okay to have a fourth helping of green bean casserole because you skipped your 90 calorie greek yogurt that morning. Just go ahead and have breakfast. If nothing else, you can blame screaming at your kids all morning on them being so irritating rather than on you being hungry.
Don't Drink Calories
Just drink water during your meal, okay? There really is no rational reason to drink soda or to load up a perfectly good iced tea with mounds of sugar. You say you don't like water? Drink it anyway. It's good for you. And then after dinner, while you're watching football, cleaning the kitchen, complaining about how no one is helping with the clean up, or some combination of the three, you maybe don't have to down a six-pack or several glasses of wine. And for the love of all that is good and wholesome, skip the egg nog.
Go For a Walk
How about a new family tradition? After dinner, everyone goes for a walk, tosses the football around, or does anything other than patting their stomachs and saying things like, "Let's not put everything away. We might want more later." Of course, it is cold outside, which is the #1 excuse for never leaving the house. I will be getting my exercise by Black Friday shopping. At 4 PM on Thursday. Just like the Pilgrims.
Prepare Healthy Dishes
Mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes. Steamed rice rather than dressing. Water sprinkled with sage and tears instead of gravy. These are bad alternatives and will only make everyone hate you. Go ahead and keep the standards, but accompany them with a few healthy choices as well. We will be having a lean buffalo stew, a big green salad, and fresh fruit to go along with our more traditional foods.
Make a Follow Up Plan
Join with some friends after the holiday to work off those extra calories. Hit the gym. Start a new workout. My Healthy Wealthy Wise Facebook page will be offering a free workout challenge for anyone who wants daily exercise, nutrition, and motivation tips for the three weeks following the holiday. You may not keep yourself from indulging, but you can undo any damage you cause when you don't follow my advice and drink all of the egg nog anyway.
Mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes. Steamed rice rather than dressing. Water sprinkled with sage and tears instead of gravy. These are bad alternatives and will only make everyone hate you. Go ahead and keep the standards, but accompany them with a few healthy choices as well. We will be having a lean buffalo stew, a big green salad, and fresh fruit to go along with our more traditional foods.
Make a Follow Up Plan
Join with some friends after the holiday to work off those extra calories. Hit the gym. Start a new workout. My Healthy Wealthy Wise Facebook page will be offering a free workout challenge for anyone who wants daily exercise, nutrition, and motivation tips for the three weeks following the holiday. You may not keep yourself from indulging, but you can undo any damage you cause when you don't follow my advice and drink all of the egg nog anyway.