Tips for a Fun and Healthy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to gather together with family and friends and to remember years past and create new memories for the younger generations. It’s also the time of the year when the food train leaves the station and seems to offer non-stop decadence until the new year. Here are some tips to enjoying the day without ruining your waistline.
Eat Breakfast
Eating a small breakfast sets your metabolism and gives you control of your appetite. When you eat a healthy breakfast such as a hard-boiled egg and whole wheat toast, you’ll keep yourself from nibbling throughout the day and potentially save yourself 1,000 calories!
Run for Fun
Thanksgiving Day is day when there are more 5K races all across America than any other day of the year. Many organizers allow walkers and runners alike so don’t be intimidated if you don’t think you can run the whole way. So, why not make it a family event? You’ll all get the chance to burn off extra calories and make room for that piece of pie you’ve been eyeing.
Cook Together
Get the kids involved in the kitchen. Let them wash the veggies, smash the potatoes and set the table. This will help them appreciate the work that goes into preparing the meal and when everyone’s involved, it sets a good example for them.
Lighten the Fare
Oftentimes, we are cooking using old family recipes that are filled with butter, cream, and sugar. You can lighten up these recipes with a few of these tricks:
– Use fat free chicken broth or vegetarian broth to baste the turkey and make gravy.
– Use sugar substitutes instead of sugar in baked goods.
– Reduce the amount of butter and oil whenever you can.
– Use plain yogurt or fat-free sour cream in dips, mashed potatoes and casseroles.
Watch your Portions
Ever hear the saying “my eyes are bigger than my stomach?” Thanksgiving Day is one of the biggest eating events all year and that phrase tends to hold true to its meaning. A bountiful meal is lovingly prepared and we cannot help but to indulge our selves and eat two or three day’s worth of calories in one meal. Try to pace yourself with these tips:
– Choose the best on the buffet. Choose white meat turkey, plain vegetables, roast sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie.
– Don’t go back for seconds — leftovers are better anyway the next day — and save room for dessert.
– Eat slowly so your stomach can properly digest and send signals to your brain that you are getting full.
– Don’t drink too much alcohol. While you can enjoy a glass of wine, take it easy and limit the calories while staying sober.
Enjoy your Family and Friends
When everyone is involved from start to finish during the day, it has a way of bringing us all closer together and creates memories for a lifetime.