Thanksgiving is just around the corner. It is a time to be thankful for all the blessings the year has brought us. And one of these is good health. However, you should know that it isn’t a time to forget about your health, despite the festivities. In fact, it is the perfect time to achieve a healthier Thanksgiving.
How You Can Achieve a Healthier Thanksgiving
Achieving a healthier Thanksgiving might seem difficult. But not to worry, we’re here to help you do just that! Keep reading to find out how you can prepare yourself for the festivities ahead, and also maintain that good health after the celebrations are over.
Don’t Skip Meals Before the Thanksgiving Feast, But Keep It Light
One of the key hallmarks of a great Thanksgiving is to have a good amount of food at your table. And many will choose to simply start fasting and avoiding meals before the big feast. It is certainly tempting to just skip breakfast, and even lunch when you want to chow down on the best that it has to offer, but this can be a very bad idea.
Letting your body go without nutrition could lead to you having problems as you go about your day. Without immediate energy for your body to use, you could become irritable and irrational. It could also lead to you eating far too much during the festivities. What’s worse is the fact that the feast is in the evening, when your body will be winding down for the night.
During the evening, your body won’t be using as much energy as it does during the day. This means that your body will be storing most of what you’ve eaten during the meal as it can’t expend all of it.
Exercise Before and After The Thanksgiving Festivities
A great idea for a healthier Thanksgiving is to start picking up an exercise routine, both before and after the festivities are over. Exercise helps prepare your body to shed some calories that would be taken up by the large meal you will eventually be having or have eaten.
Not only does exercise help you prepare for the amount of food you’ll be eating, but it will also burn unhealthy cholesterol from your system, both before and after the feast. So it’s almost always a great idea to have an exercise routine!
Choose What You Eat During the Thanksgiving Meal
One of the highlights of the Thanksgiving meal is the large variety of food that you have available. Besides the Turkey, you’ve often got mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and a host of desserts that can awaken anyone’s inner child. However, quite a few of these dishes are loaded with sugar, calories and unhealthy cholesterol. That’s why you should keep an eye on what you put on your plate during your meal. Limit your portions and choose healthier, vitamin and mineral rich options at the table.
Keep an Eye on What You Prepare for Thanksgiving
Eating at the table isn’t all you’ll be doing. You’re also going to be preparing for the meal itself. So a good idea for any Thanksgiving chef is to carefully pick the dishes you’re going to be preparing as well as the ingredients you will be using. Choose leaner cuts of meat, cut down on the butter and oil, and add more vegetable dishes to your feast. Choosing dishes that include these will help you and everyone else at the meal eat healthier.
Pick Water Over Alcohol
Alcohol is a common sight to see on Thanksgiving. It’s a time to unwind and relax, but do know that alcohol in excess can be quite unhealthy. Instead of drinking the night away, why not choose a healthier alternative? Water is an excellent way to stay hydrated and wash down all of the sodium that will be in the vast majority of the dishes you will be eating. Water can also help you lower your appetite and boost your metabolism so you can burn off the calories from what you eat.
Final Thoughts
Thanksgiving is a time for cheer and being thankful for what you’ve received and achieved during the year. With these tips you should also be able to keep your health in top shape both before and after the large feast. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
