I love the Holidays. Thanksgiving is a great kick-off to the fun holiday season. It’s also a jump start into the food fest that is November and December. Scary as it can be, keeping the holiday pounds off is doable. You have to decide to be in control of your situation. Here are some tips to beat Turkey Day this year.
1. Start your day off with a burn. Get yourself outside, to the gym, to your basement, to your local Turkey Trot. SOMETHING. You will more than likely eat more than usual, and if you take out the calories you’d burn on a normal exercising day, things could be S-C-A-R-Y.
2. Eat a great breakfast & lunch. Be EXCEPTIONALLY great. Try to avoid aimless snacking in between.
3. Choose to lighten up at least ONE of your favorite menu items. Take out the butter, switch out some applesauce for oil, use skim milk instead of cream, reduce the sugar and use some splenda…etc. etc. etc. You’ll be surprised at how you may not even notice the change. Heck, you might even like it better.
4. Load up your plate in this order.
Veggies.
Lean Proteins.
Carbs.
Other Jazz…if it’s calorically dense, and you’re dying to have some. Do yourself a favor and just grab a taste of it.
5. Watch your appetizers. Go for the veggie tray, sans fatty dips. Avoid the cheese platter. Try not to go crazy with aimless handfuls of crackers. Be smart. Don’t waste hundreds of calories on the pre-meal excitement. Remember there is the meal and dessert still to come.
6. Dessert can be a disaster. Pick one. Don’t eat yourself sick. It’s not worth it.
7. Gift your leftovers. Send them home with guests. Keep the good stuff. Lean turkey can make for a great meal/snack.
8. Be grateful. Remember what a blessing good health is. Remember how amazing your healthy body is.
Here are some more yummy recipes you might be able to fit in to your holiday menu.
Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries *a favorite of mine!
Happy Turkey day!!