That said,
it doesn’t have to be a matter of feast or famine
for dieters. With a few conscientious choices, it’s
possible to enjoy the holiday and enjoy the food without
stretching your waistline to the limit. Here are a few
ways to keep your calories under control:
Don’t go hungry: One sure way
to guarantee that you’ll overeat is if you arrive
at Thanksgiving dinner completely famished. Instead,
eat a modest amount of food earlier in the day so that
you’re not starving before the main meal. And
if you find yourself hungry before the big turkey feast
starts, have a few carrot sticks to tide yourself over.
Make conscious choices: There’s
nothing more damaging to your diet than sitting right
next to a big bowl of nuts, candy, or chips. You absent-mindedly
eat handful after handful, and before you know it, you’ve
consumed hundreds of calories. This year, resolve to
make conscious choices about everything you’re
going to eat. And stick to eating only what you’ve
put on your plate so you can be sure that your portion
size is appropriate.
Use fiber as a filler: Fiber-filled
foods like vegetables will fill you up more quickly
– and give you more bang for your buck in terms
of calories and nutrition – than just about anything
else on the Thanksgiving menu. If your family tradition
involves meals that are heavy on low-fiber foods like
rolls and mashed potatoes, make a green salad or a fruit
salad to add to the mix. Then when it’s time to
eat, fill up on the healthy stuff and savor the stuffing
in small amounts.
Hands off the kids’ snacks:
One common pitfall for moms (and this happens all year
round, not just at Thanksgiving) is absent-mindedly
sampling the kids’ food. Most of the time these
are extra calories you don’t need, like crackers
or other munchies. Stick to the high-quality adult foods
that taste good and add value to your diet.
Savor the food: Take your time at
dinner enjoying every bite and participating in the
conversation. If you feel like you need seconds, take
a break so that you can assess whether or not you are
truly hungry. Sometimes your stomach takes a few minutes
before it sends you the message that it’s full.
Watch the alcohol: Don’t forget
that alcoholic beverages – even wine – can
add a significant amount of calories to your meal. If
you choose to drink, consume a modest amount with dinner
and then switch to water.
Don’t deny yourself: If you
love pumpkin pie, don’t tell yourself that you
can’t have any. It’ll only make you crave
it more. Instead, make a conscious effort to save some
room for a small piece after dinner. And hold off on
the whipped cream or ice cream toppings.
Walk it off: If you’re not in
the kitchen, find some activity to do outside (rather
than sitting in front of the television) while you’re
waiting for the food to be ready. After dinner, get
the whole group to enjoy a post-meal walk outside.
Enjoy the day: Last but not least,
remember what you truly enjoy about the holiday: spending
time with loved ones and savoring a delicious meal.
Don’t let your worries about your weight interfere
with your pleasure during this special holiday.
|
