8 Turkey Day Tips
It’s the holiday season folks, so get out those sweatpants and loosen the belt buckles! OR, maybe you read our tips below to avoid the need for larger waistbands around the Thanksgiving holiday.
1. Get up early
OK, this is probably not a popular opinion when you’ve finally got a day to leisurely make your way out of bed. Plan to get up with enough time to squeeze in a quick 20-30 minute home workout or take the dog for a walk before the craziness of the holiday takes over your day.
2. EAT BREAKFAST
While your brain is telling you to skip breakfast and “save up” for the big turkey dinner. Don’t skip your breakfast! In fact, try having some scrambled eggs mixed with spinach (or veggies of your choice), so you are getting some protein and healthy vegetables to start your day.
3. Stay hydrated
Remember to DRINK WATER! Even the best water drinkers can get out of their habits and routine and forget to stay hydrated during the craziness of the day. Staying hydrated will help maintain good digestion of all the yummy foods!
4. Bring/serve an appetizer
Serve some fresh vegetables or fresh fruit for an appetizer while waiting for the big turkey dinner and all the fixings!
5. Skip the oversized plates
Skip the gigantic oversized plates and stick to a regular plate size. We have a tendency to let our portions get out of control when there is too much open space on our plates!
6. Fill your plate
Wait, what? OK, so fill your plate with the most nutritious foods FIRST. Turkey is super healthy for you (maybe just don’t load it with tons of gravy, a little bit can go a long way), even some of the side dishes can have good vitamins and nutrients as well. Just remember to keep it all in moderation (just a 1/2 cup portion of sweet potatoes or mashed potatoes, not a plateful heaping and overflowing with butter or gravy!!). Wait a full 15-20 minutes before thinking about going back for some of the “extras” that you missed in the first round. This might help you realize if you’re truly still hungry, or if maybe your belly is satisfied and full.
7. Post-meal walk
After the clean up of the meal is complete, gather the family for a walk outdoors. Avoid the urge to lay down on the couch and take a post meal snooze, and instead find an activity to get you moving with the family.
8. EAT the pie
Don’t feel guilty about having a piece of pie. Make healthy choices throughout the day and enjoy a small piece of pie too! It’s all about balance. Having a small piece of pie with whipped topping is not going to automatically add 5 pounds to the scale! Eat the dessert with your family on this Turkey Day and continue to make healthy choices in the days following Turkey Day!!
If you want someone to help guide you through making healthy choices this holiday season (AND BEYOND!) you should reach out to Jackie to set up a Nutrition Coaching consultation.
Written by: Renee Hancock, Co-Owner
