by G. A. Sylverston

Created on: November 07, 2010   Last Updated: June 19, 2011

It is the start of the holiday season, Thanksgiving is just around the corner and you are on a diet, what do you do?  The holidays can spell disaster for anyone who is trying to lose weight or eat healthier meals.  Don't fear, with just a few simple steps, you can still eat healthier and enjoy Thanksgiving at the same time.

If you are like many people, you might be enjoying your Thanksgiving dinner at the home of another person.  This means you don't have a lot of control over what is being prepared or what is going into the dishes you will be served.  If this is the case, try to make healthier choices from the foods you are offered, but don't deprive yourself!  If there are certain dishes that you love and you only get to have them at Thanksgiving, have a little!  Moderation is key. 

To make healthier choices, stick to dishes that do not have a lot of added fat and sugar.  Put your dressings and gravies on the side instead of smothering your food in them.  Try to eat slowly and savor the taste and the company you are keeping.  This will help you to be alert when your body tells you it is getting full, which will help you to keep from overeating. 

Try not to get too many calories from beverages.  Drinking water will help to fill you up and it will save you the added calories of other sugary drinks that may be served.  If all of these tips sound good, but you still are not sure that you will be full enough to stop eating, have a snack before you head to Thanksgiving dinner.  This will help to fill you up a little so that you don't need to eat as much at the dinner table.

If you are making Thanksgiving dinner at your home, take steps to make healthier choices for your dishes.  Use lower fat food items if they are available.  Choose to use low or no sodium items as well to help decrease the salt content of your foods.  Remember, Thanksgiving does not have to be the exact same every year, this is your home and it is up to you to choose how you cook your food.  Many of these substitutions can help you to be more health conscious while still keeping the wonderful flavor of the foods you are cooking.

Having a healthier, lower calorie Thanksgiving is possible.  Keep in mind however that you do not need to create stress for yourself over the issue.  Enjoy the holiday, be mindful, make good choices, and you will be on the right track.

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