Tips for Healthy Thanksgiving and Recipes
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and I can’t wait to hang out with friends and enjoy the feast. I love fall cooking, so that is a perfect occasion to make a couple of my favorite dishes. I do know though that it can be challenging for so many people. Temptations are all around us. I won’t tell you to not eat during that time because this time it is not about deprivation.
I will just advise you to participate in a mindful way. In the end, you don’t want to end up in a food coma trying to recover for a week…. We can make healthy and smart food choices and still enjoy the feast!
I can help you out with some simple, healthy tips that you will be thankful for.
Make sure you plan ahead and pitch in.
It is essential to prepare before you go and attend a gathering or party.
I always bring dishes I make so I make sure I have something healthy to eat. Don’t feel bad about it. Don’t be afraid to offer to bring a dish and share it with others. You are not rude, to the contrary you are taking care of yourself and in doing that you will have more fun!
Call your host and ask what are they will be serving so you will be prepared. Inspire others with your own food and show people that healthy food can taste amazing! Make your recipes from real whole food. It is possible to make amazing dishes without using processed food.
I always bring a healthy snack with me, so I don’t have to eat chips, dips, or any unprocessed food.
Eat your breakfast and don’t show up hungry.
It is wise to eat breakfast before the big meal because it will give you more control over your appetite. Make sure your breakfast contains PFF (protein, fat, and fiber) on your plate. Balance plate is always the healthiest choice, and it will help you stabilize your blood sugar so that you won’t have extreme carvings. Have some eggs with dark leafy greens and half of the avocado. Depends on the time of the feast A eat a small meal before you go. Showing up hungry is not going to help you have control over what you eat and more than likely you will wolf down everything in sight. Try one of the following protein-rich mini-meals to tide you over and keep you from pigging out on sugar.
Load up on veggies.
Eat lost non-starchy veggies, like kale, Brussels sprouts, salads, etc. they are super nutritious and have fewer calories. No guilt necessary! There are always plenty of vegetables to choose from- just watch out for starchy ones (eat less of those).
Taste first.
Instead of inhaling the food focus on savoring it!
Moderation and paying attention to portion sizes go a long way to keeping us healthy and feeling good.
Eat slowly, chew your food, and enjoy every bite. If you feel like you want that piece of the pie, then do it! Just slow down and enjoy the flavor. Taste the food you’re eating, and don’t feel guilty.
If this relationship with food is something that you struggle with (I know I have), I recommend the work of Geneen Roth. She teaches that eating isn’t about pulling a chair up to the fridge.
Take a moment and check-in with yourself before you eat.
Ask yourself if you took care of yourself today if you gave your body proper consideration. Ask yourself if you addressed all the emotions and if you are stressed or anxious. If you feel uneasy or stressed take a moment and take some deep breaths.
Taking the time to touch base with your body and slow down will help prevent overeating.
Don’t be afraid to ask about healthy options.
There are always healthier options to choose from. It might not feel comfortable to ask, but this is how to take care of ourselves. They will understand.
Savor the moment and don’t apologize for your food choices.
A healthy, happy holiday is about being present in the moment. One meal is not going to make you gain lots of weight, but you don’t want to feel sorry afterward. Enjoy the company and what you eat, just be mindful.
Take digestive enzymes.
They will help your body to break down the food, and you will feel better. It’s important to have some healthy tricks in the toolbox to nip those gross symptoms in the bud and get us back on track to feeling great. We want to focus on flushing toxins out of our bodies to reduce the acidic waste that leads to bloating and fatigue.
Check out some healthy recipes you can make and bring with you for Thanksgiving feast!
http://thrivinghormones.com/cooking/great-pumpkin-cheesecake/
http://thrivinghormones.com/cooking/yummy-cream-pumpkin-soup-recipe/
http://thrivinghormones.com/cooking/roasted-brussels-sprouts-kale-salad-perfect-thanksgiving/
http://thrivinghormones.com/recipes/delicious-pumpking-latte/
http://thrivinghormones.com/recipes/i-love-fall-cooking/
http://thrivinghormones.com/recipes/my-favorite-berry-smoothie/
http://thrivinghormones.com/recipes/kale-and-summer-in-boulder/
In Health
Angie
