Here are some great tips for a healthier holiday!
Thanksgiving Day –
Before the Turkey Dinner
Do
something active in the morning – run in a local turkey trot, organize a family game of soccer or a neighborhood
flag football game, go on a family hike or bike ride.
1) Offer to bring veggies and dip or salad so you know you have some healthy choices
2) Bring a couple of bottle of sparkling water which is festive and appreciated by host!
3) Bring some clementine oranges for dessert.
Preparing the Food
- Decide which traditions you want to keep – then add some new, healthier ones
- Offer cut veggies and dip for pre-dinner snacks
- Offer fewer choices of desserts – instead of having 5 different types of pie and wanting one of each, serve 1 kind of pie. Research shows that if there are more choices, we will eat more
- Don’t eat too late – eat around 4 or 5 pm so you have plenty of time to digest before bed.
- Don’t linger too long at the dinner table – you will eat (and drink) more!
- Serve (and drink) a lot of water! Make it festive, add sliced limes and cranberries to sparkling water.
After Dinner
- Send leftovers home with guests
- Spend Friday doing something fun and active if you aren’t hitting the store.
- Keep some leftovers for Friday then set a goal to get them out of the house by Monday!
3 quick recipe suggestions:
- Grilled Green Beans – toss green beans with a little olive oil, salt and pepper than put in oven at 450 for about 10 minutes.
- Mashed potatoes – substitute chicken broth and nonfat milk to keep flavor but avoid the extra calories
- Offer fruit as a dessert option ( you will be amazed at how fast it disappears!)
