Thanksgiving is a few days away and I know how busy everyone is! My own list seems endless and it’s hard to imagine adding one more thing in the “to do” column before the holiday begins. So, I will keep this blog post short and to the point (cause I am sure you have a billion things to do too this Monday morning!).
For many, the thanksgiving meal is a feast. Even if you aren’t a turkey lover, the “accessories” like the stuffing and marshmallow sweet potatoes and assortment of pies are enough to expand anyone’s belly at the end of the nite. But, I don’t consider it the last supper. In fact, it’s a time to spend with family and friends (and even capitalize on some personal downtime) rather than feel stuffed like the turkey that’s been in the oven all day. Yes, I like to do my share in the kitchen while I prepare for the meal, but I also love to exercise, take a walk, read a book and just relax when I can.
So, here’s a short list of tips that can help you think about this holiday as a day of eating a meal that is not about going nuts but about being thankful for what you have.
1 — Start by wearing something that isn’t loose. Wearing pants or jeans helps us to eat more in moderation. Eat sitting up straight, and not standing up. This helps you to increase awareness, and a good posture will help you to naturally breathe properly and it will support your digestion. And most importantly, you will eat more consciously.
2 — At least one third of your plate should consist of vegetables and fruits. I love roasting brussel sprouts, cauliflower, and sweet potato. This will help you to control your hunger, while getting adequate nutrients.
3 — Use a small plate! Cornell University researchers collected 56 research studies examining the effect of smaller plates on consumption. Combining all the studies, they concluded that a 30% reduction in plate size lead to an average 30% reduction in food consumption.
4 — Save your calories for your main Thanksgiving meal. Reduce complex carbohydrate intake, eat moderate fat, and focus on lean protein sources. If you are doing exercise then try not to skip.
5 — Don’t punish yourself, this will actually give you more stress. The joy of eating with your family and friends will be so much more if you are smart and conscious and make smart and healthy choices. So, if you never eat pie, why start now!
For more information on how to handle this holiday (or any of the upcoming holiday meals) feel free to reach out to me by sending me an email to rachel@livehealthynyc.com