We all know that holidays are the time to indulge in food, but it doesn’t have to be a guilty pleasure. Thanksgiving Healthy Eating offers plenty of healthy foods for your holiday meal, and here’s how you can enjoy them.
1) Go for the green
Start with green veggies like broccoli or asparagus; this will help fill you up before moving to more traditional Thanksgiving favorites like turkey and mashed potatoes. The veggie choice is also low in calories, which helps when trying to manage weight gain over the holidays.
2) Skip the stuffing (or at least eat only a little)
You don’t want to pass on stuffing altogether, but make sure it isn’t your biggest meal serving. Otherwise, you could be eating more calories than you should. If you do want to have stuffing, make it the plain kind with only a little butter or oil so that your calorie intake can stay in check.
3) Double up on protein
Instead of filling up on carbs like rolls, cornbread, or crackers, go for foods higher in protein. They’ll fill you up faster and help control your cravings later for fatty foods. Try turkey breast, roast beef, or ham instead of bread this Thanksgiving!
4) Mix things up with cranberry sauce
Cranberry sauce is high in Vitamin C and fiber, which are good for heart health. Plus, it’s low in sodium and fat, which makes it an ideal choice for a holiday side dish.
5) Treat yourself to only one slice of pie
Many Thanksgiving dinners are followed by pie for dessert, but it’s important not to overdo it. Limit your sweet treat to just one piece, and be mindful that too much fat can lead to unwanted weight gain. Keep portion sizes reasonable throughout the meal to don’t take in more calories than you should.
These tips will help you keep your healthy-eating plan on track during the Thanksgiving holiday season.