ALT-2 Calorie Saving Tips for Thanksgiving
The holidays are all about fun, festivities and, of course, food. When it comes to Thanksgiving this is especially true. Many of our classic favorite recipes are reserved for just that special time of year when friends and family gather together to share good times and a good meal. It's almost a guarantee that many of those recipes are well loved because they are rich, creamy and delicious. This can spell disaster if you're watching your weight. The whole concept of pre-packaged meal plans, portion control and counting grams of saturated fat goes out the window when Mom passes that bowl of mashed potatoes around followed by the gravy boat with her delicious homemade gravy. And let's not forget about that famous pecan pie you've waited for since last Thanksgiving.
If you're determined to salvage your healthy, diet conscious goals this Thanksgiving, it pays to plan ahead. You know the routine when it comes to the Thanksgiving dinner. You can expect more than the basic food groups to lure you into overeating. Thanksgiving, and the comfort foods that come with it, is one of the holidays from which lifetime memories are made. So, while you may want to exhibit some level of self-control, don't lose sight of the fact that Thanksgiving is a once a year experience. Plan to splurge a little on this holiday by preparing ahead of time reducing your calorie intake and increasing your exercise routine.
Start the day at the gym or with your regular workout routine. Just because it's a holiday is no reason to slack off on your healthy lifestyle. If you start the day out right, you will be more likely to hold onto your resolve.
This year, approach the Thanksgiving table ready to deal with temptation. Many of the traditional Thanksgiving food items are really not that bad for you, if you watch what you eat and how much you consume (yes, there it is, that all important portion control issue again). Turkey, with its stellar role as a lean protein, is a healthy choice for your dinner plate. Limit yourself to three ounces and choose the tender, white breast meat over the more fatty dark meat on the leg. If you simply can't resist Mom's gravy, fat laden though it may be, place it off to the side on your plate or ask for a small bowl to hold a small amount. Dip your fork or the tip of a piece of turkey into the gravy, much the same way you probably eat your salads, with the dressing on the side. This allows you to enjoy the taste of the gravy without the total compromise of eating all that fat.
Vow to taste a variety of the food items put before you, but in small portions, with taste being the operative word here. A tablespoon of sweet potatoes, a sliver of the cranberry sauce or a spoonful of stuffing will leave you with the feeling that you've actively indulged in the festiviites without causing you to go into shock the next day when you step on the scale.
When it comes to dessert, let's face it, Thanksgiving has a reputation to uphold. In addition to the traditional fare such as pumpkin pie, many families have established traditions of their own with cheesecake, pecan pie or a variety of nut rolls and rich breads. Only a saint will resist it all. Accept the fact that you expect to enjoy a piece of pumpkin pie with a dollop of whipped cream and prepare accordingly. Make some sacrifices earlier in the week that will allow you to indulge, guilt-free, when the Thanksgiving favorite is passed your way.
Life is to be enjoyed and one of the great pleasures of living is sharing holiday meals with friends and family. If you're going to be effective in your weight loss and diet plans for the long term, you will have to come to grips with the idea that there will be special occasions that demand you loosen your grip on strict adherence to your diet. One meal should not be enough to destroy all your hard work. Knowing that you can get right back into your routine the next day should make the Thanksgiving holiday easier to navigate.
