On average, people consume between 3,000 – 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving.
Here are some tips to a healthier holiday:
Enjoy your favorite dishes, but watch your portions!
- Don’t skip meals earlier in the day. By starting with a healthy breakfast including protein and fiber, you will be less likely to overeat at dinner.
- Use a smaller plate to encourage proper portion sizes.
- Add vegetables or a salad to your plate first. Filling up on these at the beginning of the meal will help you consume less calories.
- Eat slowly and don’t go back for a second helping.
To reduce calories further, try the following substitutions:
- Sweet Potatoes – bake sweet potatoes then use cinnamon and nutmeg for flavor instead of marshmallows.
- Green Beans – steam fresh green beans instead of making a casserole.
- Turkey – choose white meat without the skin (saves about 190 calories).
- Pie – choose a small slice of pumpkin pie over pecan pie.
Exercise as a family. After the meal, take a walk together instead of napping by the TV.