Thanksgiving is upon us. It’s such an easy time to give in to the wonderful temptations that come with being home for the holidays – including an excessive amount of food. Putting a spoonful of every dish on your plate at holiday potluck dinners always seems like a good idea, until you feel like 1) you are housing a small child in your stomach or 2) you’re going to be sick.
So… If you’re wanting to skip the inevitable hour-long bloating and self-loathing that will come after holiday binge eating, follow these five simple steps.
1. Eat Breakfast
Instead of skipping the most important meal of the day because the promise of tons of food later on is more enticing, eat some breakfast. It can be as simple as toast and eggs, or just some fruit and yogurt. Eating breakfast will kick-start your metabolism, but it will also curb your appetite so that you are not overeating throughout the day. You are also more likely to make healthier beverage and food choices without the nagging reminder of hunger.
2. Portion Control and Smart Choices
Rather than piling your plate with all of the food available, only choose things that you know you will eat, and choose those things in moderation. Make a game plan before getting your plate. Choose what you want and what you don’t want before actually getting the food. This avoids any hesitation about options, and ultimately, portions. Also, don’t choose things that you can eat all year round – choose things that are holiday specific. Why waste calories on that casserole your mom ALWAYS makes? Switch it up!
3. Use Substitutes
When preparing your favorite dish for the holidays, use substitutes. A great substitution for dishes that require a lot of milk, butter or cream is Greek yogurt. Healthy and delicious!
4. Exercise
Hit the gym in the morning before the family arrives. If you’re not into hardcore exercise, no worries. A walk before and after dinner is enough to get your body moving and burning excess calories.
5. Choose Fiber Rich Foods
Fiber aids in digestion, and also in keeping you full. Choosing foods that are high in fiber, such as whole grains, vegetables, fruit and salads, will help curb your appetite and keep you from coming back for unnecessary seconds or even thirds.
Pictures:
http://nuggetmarket.com/holiday/
http://www.livefitpt.com/benefits-of-breakfast/
http://www.ijga.com/news-and-blog/portion-control/
http://www.osagefood.com/product/greek-yogurt-powder/
http://www.modernwomenworld.com/diet-fitness/exercise/diet-exercise-teenage-girls.html
http://www.unohealthylifestyle.com/health-weight-loss-facts-about-fiber/