8 Great Ways to Not Overeat at Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving is in a few weeks, and I bet you’re already thinking about the yummy food. All while worried, you may throw your “new eating lifestyle” out the window. Instead of stressing about overheating, here are some valuable tips from Bree Andrews a personal trainer in Lindale, Texas, to help keep your holiday eating in check.

  1. Eat before: If you’re having a mid-day lunch or Dinner, make sure you eat before. Don’t skip breakfast in hopes of having more room for food. It will cause you to gorge yourself later. Eat a healthy breakfast and snack or light lunch depending on what time the meal is scheduled.
  2. Eat smaller portions: Bree uses this tip in her everyday life! Instead of grabbing the big dinner plate, grab the small to medium dinner plate; this will allow you to keep your portions small, especially if you want to taste everything available. Do the same with desserts. You can still taste all of the pies but make sure to keep them at a small portion.
  3. Don’t stand near the food: Many times, we all gather around the food table and have conversations with our friends and family. So you start snacking in between the conversation. Instead, take the conversation to the living room. Relax and enjoy time with your family.
  4. Go for a walk: A great way to burn off your Thanksgiving meal before getting dessert is going for a walk around the block. This could be a great time to talk more with family you haven’t seen in a while. And get away from those driving you crazy. Include the kids as well!
  5. Workout before the Thanksgiving meal: If the meal is later in the day, then it’s a perfect time to grab a quick workout before you leave. A 30-minute HIIT workout, a quick walk, or bike ride are great.
  6. Drink water: A good rule of thumb to follow is drinking a glass of water before and with your meal. Water helps to fill you up quickly and maintain your portions. You can always grab that glass of wine later, but for Dinner, stick with water. You will eat less and stay hydrated.
  7. Bring a healthy dish or dessert: This is a perfect way to ensure something remotely healthy at your Thanksgiving dinner. Yes, it’s the time where you eat all things unhealthy. But you can incorporate healthy foods that taste just as good. Maybe even bring a healthier dessert than Pecan Pie. That way, you can share a new recipe with your family and make sure something healthy gets on your plate.
  8. Enjoy your meal: Thanksgiving is about coming together with the ones you love. So don’t stress too much about the food. You can eat that slice of pie, but be smart about it. Life is short. Enjoy the fantastic foods that come with this holiday. As long as you use these tricks, then you’ll find yourself happy about the choices you made. Not regretting every calorie you ate.

Here are 10 Healthy Replacements for High Calorie Holiday Foods:

  • Hard Liqueur or Eggnog -> Wine Spritzer
  • Hot Chocolate -> Cinnamon Tea
  • Hard Candies -> Frozen Grapes
  • Pecan Pie -> Pumpkin Pie
  • Fried Appetizers -> Shrimp Cocktail
  • Green Bean Casserole -> Steamed Green Beans
  • Apple Pie -> Baked Apples
  • Mashed Potatoes -> Mashed Cauliflower
  • Fried Turkey -> Roast Turkey
  • Sweet Potato Casserole -> Baked Sweet Potato