By: Dana Yarn, RDLD
The hype of gathering and eating a meal like Thanksgiving dinner with close family and friends is one of the happiest times of year for all of us. A feast and celebration like Thanksgiving will give us much needed time off of work to spend with loved ones, but a holiday centered on food can tend to give us a few days off from our healthy diets too. Here’s the low down on what you need to know to avoid gaining the typical seasonal seven pounds of holiday weight gain this season.
A little Dietitian math.
Enjoy the holidays without guilt. Try Revamping some of your Traditional Recipes
- Replacing just one cup of sugar with half the amount is a great way to train your taste buds to not desire too much sugar, or use all natural honey or stevia instead.
- Use alternative flours like almond, flax seed meal or even whole wheat flour instead of enriched white flour in your baked goods. You will prevent an extreme spike of insulin resulting in reduced carbohydrate cravings, and increased metabolism.
- Cook with unsweetened almond or coconut milk instead of whole or 2% milk. Your potatoes will be just as creamy, and you’ll save calories.
- Instead of using store-bought or your traditional homemade chip dip, opt for a Greek yogurt based dip. Reducing fat content and increasing protein content for an overall healthier snack or appetizer.
Move!
You can easily add a little more movement to your holiday routine to help “make up” for some of the extra calories you eat.
- Register your family for a local Turkey Trot, several towns have a 5k/10k/half or full marathon on Thanksgiving Day.
- Plan a family walk or workout session the morning or afternoon of Thanksgiving Day.
- Organize an impromptu flag football or basketball game, this is a great way to bond with your loved ones have some laughs and of course burn some calories.
Be choosey about your leftovers.
If you are hosting Thanksgiving try to give away fatting leftovers like starchy sides, desserts and cheesy appetizers. Hold onto the turkey meat and roasted vegetables, turkey and vegetables makes for a healthy leftover meal that will not contribute to seasonal weight gain.