With a little help from your friendly Insurance Company, your Thanksgiving Day does not have to mean that you have to be stuffed along with the turkey! Our tips can let you satisfy your craving for all your traditional favorites and still enjoy a guilt-free feast. We have six simple and helpful tips to avoid the food coma that’ll last until Christmas. Noom also mentions some of these yummy foods in their full article on Noom’s food list.
1. For starters, Always Eat Breakfast. While it doesn’t seem to make sense to eat only to overload later, eating a small meal in the morning can give you more control over your appetite. This, in turn, will give you a chance to practice portion control as well. Start this Thursday with a small but satisfying breakfast so you won’t feel like you’re starving when you arrive for dinner. Keyword to keep in mind when choosing breakfast: Fiber. Fiber takes the edge off appetite so you avoid loading up on the food later. It is wise to never skip breakfast. Missing breakfast slows down your metabolism. This will cause your body to store more calories later and the likely event of gorging at dinnertime. Breakfast also offers to keep your energy level high. So if you’re responsible for this holiday eat your breakfast – and although you might be getting up earlier than usual, eat breakfast in the usual timely fashion.
2. While cooking, think Healthy Sides. The usual culprits of the feast’s side dishes are candied yams, creamy green bean casserole, and mashed potatoes. Vegetables tend to be noticeably absent during the holidays. Think about a salad, or a dish of simply and fresh green beans, Brussels sprouts or broccoli. HERE’s a suggestion for a twist on classic dishes. Why not try a new tradition this year? Why not bake sweet potatoes into sweet potato fries instead of mashed potatoes?
3. Here’s a fun tip, Socialize! Talk to family and friends, time a moment to savor and chew your food. This will encourage you to slow down and avoid overeating. Fun Fact: the better you chew your food, the better your body will digest it.
4. As mentioned above, Practice Portion Control. Breakfast can help you, but this is a challenge you must face alone. Do not simply pile the food on and on, start with a smaller plate – or just smaller pieces of everything that looks good to you. And if these “healthy sides” are there then indulge on those. Along these lines, if you’re full, Save Dessert for Later. After a “Feast” (for that is what it is) dessert may be too much. Wrap a piece up and put it away until you’re not longer feeling like a “food baby” just started kicking. Even if you’re not up for it until the next day, it will be waiting for you, right where you left it.
5. Be sure to Go Easy on the Alcohol. Calories really add up rather quickly. Break up your alcoholic drinks by enjoying sparkling water, the bubbly part is fun and you stay hydrated while limiting alcohol calorie intake. It is also a good way to stay sober.
6. Lastly, let’s Be Realistic. Thanksgiving is about celebration and family. Try not to think about diets or “weight loss” but rather think of “weight maintenance.” It’s not about crashing and burning your healthy lifestyle, but planning ahead and being prepared to not completely sabotage all your hard work.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM US TO YOU!
