Thanksgiving Stuffing!

I had originally posted this November 2011 and thought it was so good that I'd run it again-haha!! Just kidding :) I'm feeling the seasonal time crunch already but wanted to prevent people from "stuffing" themselves at that yummy holiday table. Personally, one thing I'm going to do different this year is to start with small-ish size servings of my very favorites and only fill my plate with the amount of food it's supposed to hold (meaning I won't pile two plates worth of food onto one!) Brilliant, right? Or obvious? (Have I said that I love food?) Happy Thanksgiving! And remember to be thankful!

I once read that the average American consumes almost 7000 calories on Thanksgiving day! But, honestly, that included a full breakfast and lunch then a mid-afternoon holiday dinner followed by yet another dinner (of leftovers, of course). Yeah, right. I have no doubt, tho, that I probably consume waaay too much that one day! I enjoy my food and hanging out with family, so throw in all of the yummy traditional Thanksgiving foods-I can't think of a better way to spend a day!

According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE) the average Thanksgiving meal is over 3000 calories with 229 grams of fat! Yikes!!! FYI-it takes 3500 additional calories to gain 1 pound and the recommended daily fat intake is between 45 and 65! Add in any other meals that day plus leftovers for 3 days-WahLah! A jump start on your holiday weight gain!!

I have tried to manage the day's intake so I don't feel painfully stuffed...well....I TRY :) Or feel incredibly guility  :)  We have a pretty good size gathering when my family gets together for the holiday. Each of us brings 2-3 dishes to pass so you can imagine how much food we have! Pure gluttony! I confess that I like to try a little bit of everything-but....a tiny bit of everything still makes for a ginormous plate of food!

Here are a couple suggestions to enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner-without the guilt or weight gain:

• Eat a light breakfast and munch on fruits and veggies beforehand so you don't show up famished
• Make healthy substitutions in your dishes-there are many low fat and/or low sugar ingredients that will go virtually undetected
• Offer to make a yummy green leafy salad with-maybe some chopped apples, feta cheese, pecans and a low fat balsamic dressing
• As I always say, "Eat the foods you really like and pass on the so-so". Skip the everyday foods and enjoy your holiday favorites (but avoid the "all or nothing" thinking)
• Can you some minimize fat/calories and never miss it? Do you really need lots of butter or will a little dab do it?
• Take your time and actually savor each bite  :)
• Go for a power walk in the morning. In fact, invite others to walk with you (again) after dinner! I'm sure they'll thank you for it  :)
• Minimize the alcohol. Yes, a glass of wine may be a necessary calming factor, but it's also extra calories and can lower your willpower
• Play games or watch movies so you're not hanging around the kitchen all day
• If you host it send some of the leftovers home with with others!!
• What's your favorite tip?

Most of all-enjoy your special day! Be thankful for the fact that you have food to eat, enjoy it in moderation, then get back on the healthy track first thing Friday morning! You could go shopping....shopping is exercise, right? Although, I find myself preferring to shop Black Friday via my laptop sitting on my booty!! Better schedule in a trip (or two) to the gym!!