Give Thanks and Be Healthy

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It’s a time to get together with family and friends, have a lot of laughs and share a great meal.  It’s also a time to reflect on what good fortunes we have in our lives. I know we all have something to be thankful for.

Personally, I’m grateful for my health, my family, loyal friends, a safe home, a job that I love, nutritious whole food, and last, as a first generation Slovenian-American, I’m especially thankful every day that I live in the United States of America with it’s rich freedom and vast opportunities.

Along with all the wonderful things this holiday brings, unfortunately social gatherings can come with unwanted pounds and stress. For me, the holidays also mean staying on track.  There’s no reason to fall off of the wagon and self-destruct. I highly recommend keeping a food log and tracking your exercise. I journal everything I eat everyday, regardless if it’s a holiday or not, and journal my exercise. It’s a great habit I got into years ago and it has stuck with me ever since.

There’s no reason to fall off of the wagon and self-destruct.

This Thanksgiving make sure you eat a good breakfast. Assuming your social gathering is in the evening, enjoy a light healthy lunch before dinner, which will be satisfying. However, be sensitive to your body because our eyes are always bigger than our stomachs. I encourage you to eat a little something before you leave the house, holiday or no holiday. I typically grab something that’s high in fiber and a little bit of fat like an apple with a few nuts. You never want to go anywhere starving. This can lead to making bad choices like eating impulsively and too much.  

When you get to dinner, be sure to observe what’s being served so you can make smart choices when it comes time to filling your plate.  I’d also like to emphasize the importance of being mindful when it comes to the size of the serving spoon and your portions. Savor every bite, put your utensil down after every bite and take occasional sips of water.

It takes your brain about 20 minutes to register that your stomach is full, so eat slowly. 

Bring your own side dish if you really want to have this well balanced. There is nothing wrong with bringing a veggie tray or a beautiful fruit platter. Don’t waste your calories on foods that you can have all year long. Fill your plate with white turkey meat, roasted vegetables, baked sweet potatoes, cranberries sauce (sugar-free recipe attached), and defatted gravy. If you must have dessert, have a small piece of pumpkin pie. It’s a lot less calories and fat than pecan pie and you’re waistline will thank you.

I’m grateful for my many blessings and the opportunity I have to share with you valuable lessons of health I have learned that have made my life easier and more fulfilling. 

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!!