If you’re anything like me, Thanksgiving dinner is your favorite meal in the whole entire world. It’s better than all the Christmas presents and New Year confetti combined. That’s not to say I don’t love all the holiday meals, but something about that comforting turkey and stuffing combo with a piping hot mountain of fresh mashed potatoes gets me every time.
However, I know that indulging during this time of year can get a little out of hand, but that’s always something under my absolute control. There are things you can do to avoid adding those extra few pounds on the scale, and they are easier than you would think.
Here are my 5 ways to avoid overeating during the holidays:
1. “Everything in Moderation”
Don’t completely deprive yourself of all your favorite foods just because you’re afraid you’ll gorge on them. It’s all about portion control! Eliminate the mindset of forbidding yourself a treat because I don’t know about you, but that always makes me crave it more than ever. Take what you can fit on one plate, and stay seated when you’re finished. Or eat what you absolutely love and skimp on the other things you feel indifferent about.
2. Water Might Do the Trick
A lot of times, we confuse that feeling in our stomach for hunger. Of course, in the presence of copious amounts of food, all we can think about is how much we’d love to eat. If you’re feeling this way after you’ve finished your food, sip on some calorie-free water. Obviously if you can distinguish that this feeling is actually hunger, eat some more until you’re full. The key is to not eat after you’re full!
3. Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Grab a small plate of appetizers and walk away from the serving stations. It’s so easy to find yourself nibbling endlessly on snacks, and before you know it, you’re full and have no more room for the main course! Since most of us are saving room for the turkey and all its fixings, it’d be a great tragedy to fill up on appetizers. Set a limit and be on your way!
4. Educate Yourself
It may not be your most favorite thing to do, but knowing how many calories live in your favorite dishes might wean you off of over-indulging. If you’re calorie-conscious or think this might help, do a little research before your big holiday feast. You might be shocked by how many calories a small sliver of pumpkin pie has!
5. Earn Your Meal
You might feel a little less guilty for stuffing (pun intended) your face if you work for it. Make it a goal to add some (or extra) cardio into your routine the week before, like taking the stairs instead of hopping in the elevator, going for a walk during lunch, or even an easy bike ride. You’ll feel better about yourself since you’re actually getting exercise, and you’ll have burned some calories that you know will reappear come feast day!
