Thanksgiving is almost here, and your mouth may be watering at the thought of pie, egg nog or buttery mashed potatoes.
While one of the best parts of Thanksgiving is indulging in your favorite foods, it's time to figure out your game plan for the day so you can enjoy your family meal and not feel guilty afterward. (Check here to see what it takes to burn off that slice of pumpkin pie)
Shayna Komar, registered dietitian with Cancer Wellness at Piedmont Hospital, recommends eating slowly and enjoying the conversation between bites. She also suggests planning ahead of time what you’ll eat — deciding which dishes you can’t live without and which aren’t worth the extra calories.
Another tip: Watch the gravy. You don’t have to drench everything in gravy for your food to be delicious — use the smallest amount possible. You’ll still get the gravy flavor, but with less fat and calories.
Here are 10 tips from registered dietitian and nutritionist Felicia Stoler, author of “Living Skinny in Fat Genes: The Healthy Way to Lose Weight and Feel Great” (Pegasus; $16.95):
1. Get a full night's sleep the night before. Thanksgiving Day likely will be stressful, and a lack of sleep will take its toll.
2. Eat breakfast. Don't save up for the big meal. Eating right away in the morning will help get your metabolism moving, and prevent you from overeating later in the day.
3. Work out. This is another metabolism booster. It is easier to have the motivation to exercise right when you wake up, rather than after a heavy meal that makes you sleepy. Don't have time to hit the gym? Don't worry, household chores and cleaning count!
4. Drink water throughout the entire day.
5. Put on your normal jeans, not those baggy sweats that are a size or two too large.
6. Snack. Choose a low-calorie healthy snack to help prevent overeating at the big meal.
7. Season dishes with healthy herbs and condiments. Use fresh herbs if possible. Otherwise, dried herbs are OK.
8. Try making some dishes with a little kick. Spicy foods are harder to eat in excess. Also, consider an oil change. Malaysian certified sustainable palm oil is a healthy alternative to corn and canola oils, and also has a higher smoke point.
9. Wait at least half an hour between dinner and dessert. Your brain will have to time to get the message to your stomach that you are full, and you won't eat as much dessert (or any).
10. Take a post-dinner walk. If you are still awake and able to move, an after-dinner walk is a great way to speed up digestion.
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