Thanksgiving is a glorious time of year if, like us, you love food. Crisp-skinned, juicy turkey! Fluffy, creamy mashed potatoes! Sweet, nutty pecan pie! It’s not difficult to imagine going overboard and ending up bloated, and full of regret.
But you don’t need to miss out on all your Thanksgiving favorites either – it’s all about balance. Here’s how to have a healthy Thanksgiving, and still enjoy it.
Start your day with a healthy breakfast
Don’t be tempted to skip breakfast. It might seem like a good idea, but you’ll be much more likely to overeat if you come to the main event with your stomach growling.
Instead, have a healthy, balanced breakfast (or brunch) to start the day. Stick to your usual breakfast if you want or make it special by taking a little more time over it: a breakfast burrito, protein pancakes, or a sweet potato hash are all great options.
Drink enough water
Don’t forget about your hydration levels! Fill up a reusable water bottle and keep it near you so you can sip throughout the day. We know how tempting it is to just drink coffee or soda, but choosing water instead will save calories and will help you feel fuller so you don’t overeat at the Thanksgiving table.
Try some new healthy side dishes
Everyone’s got their favorite dishes that make Thanksgiving so special, and we’re not suggesting you cut them out in favor of plain vegetables or anything crazy like that.
‘Healthy’ doesn’t mean flavorless. Try roasting vegetables like carrots and butternut squash to bring out their natural sweetness, and try serving a spiced, creamy pumpkin soup as an appetizer for a lower-calorie choice.
Don’t be afraid to ask for a healthier choice if you’re not doing the cooking. Better still, bring your own healthier dishes to share.
It’s not all about the food
Thanksgiving is obviously amazing for food, but don’t forget the real thing you should be thankful for – your family and friends coming to spend time together. It’s not often we get to slow down and enjoy each other’s company, so make the most of it by focusing on who you’re with, not just what you’re eating.
Get active after dinner
We don’t mean doing a gruelling gym workout just after dinner (unless you want to see that turkey again), but just heading outside for a walk around the block can help your body start to digest what you’ve eaten, and some fresh air will wake you up (as eating loads will undoubtedly make you ready for a nap). If the weather allows it and your guests are up for it, why not take a hike or try a longer walk? It’s a great activity to do with others as you can talk and walk.
Don’t worry
Thanksgiving comes once a year, and although there are things you can do to make it healthier than last year’s, chances are you’re going to eat a lot of food and do minimal exercise, and that’s ok! Don’t be hard on yourself if you overeat or if you don’t manage to drink any water.
Thanksgiving is just one day, and in the grand scheme of things it won’t completely derail your weight loss efforts if you have a day of overindulgence.
We’ve got a Thanksgiving gift from our MAN v FAT Soccer players to you – a treasure trove of member-submitted recipes that’ll give you healthy and delicious meal options to add to your meal plan. Download it here.
