6 Tips for How Not to Overeat on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and it’s hard not to think about it in terms of indulgence: the food that will grace your table, the naps you can take, or the shopping you can do. Chances are, there will be an excess of appetizers, side dishes, and desserts, in addition to the main course. With so many delicious options, how can you not decide to eat all the food placed in front of you? Yet it’s important not to stuff yourself without thought. Read through the following easy tips to help you not overeat this Thanksgiving.
1. Eat throughout the Day
You may feel inclined to skip a meal or two in preparation for the Thanksgiving feast, but don’t. Skipping meals destabilizes your blood sugar and metabolism: in the end, you’ll be so hungry by Thanksgiving dinner that you end up eating twice as much as you would have if you had just eaten regularly.
2. Choose an Earlier Dinner Time
When a family (or any of your Thanksgiving company) gets together at an earlier time, it means that there is more time to spend together and less late-night second and third helpings. If you start your celebration at 1:00 p.m. or 2:00 p.m., you’ll have more of a dinner than a binge when it’s time to eat a second helping.
Also, eating at an earlier time means no one has to wait for the great food. This action will cut down on the appetizer munchies.
3. Choose Smaller Plates
Smaller plates equal smaller portions. According to Stanford SPARQ, people eyeball their portion sizes based on how they look relative to their dishes and serving utensils. So, not only can a smaller plate help you naturally moderate your holiday portion sizes, but also protect you from over-indulgence even if you clean your plate.
4. Eat the Green Things First
If it is customary for you and your family to eat bread at the beginning of the meal, that means you’ll have a full stomach before you eat anything else. Yet your cravings may force you to continue eating, even when overstuffed. Try eating your vegetables first, and save the bread for last.
5. Get Up, Get Out, Get Active
Getting up and out of the house after you’ve eaten is a great way to burn off any excess calories you may have eaten; it also gets all of those delicious leftovers out of sight. (Out of sight, out of mind, as they say!) It’s good defense against temptation.
As a bonus, if you are hanging out with your family by going for a hike or playing touch football, you’ll also create a great memory.
6. Enjoy Your Time
Enjoy your time with your family. Don’t sit and gobble everything up quickly. Talk, listen, laugh, drink (alcohol in moderation), and eat mindfully in between. Enjoying your time will help you savor the food and your company.
Need help rehabilitating your meal plans or starting your weight loss journey? Reach out to us at our location nearest to you – we’re always here to help!