Hi friends! The holiday season is officially upon us (horray!!!!) and if you’re anything like me, this time of year poses a particular set of challenges for staying healthy. I’ve written out my favorite tips and strategies for navigating Thanksgiving in the healthiest, most balanced way possible. Spoiler: eat your favorite things, just in normal amounts. Wishing you a healthy, balanced, all-around lovely Thanksgiving! xx- Sarah {cocktail recipe here}
1. Drink all of the water! And then drink more! Chances are good you’ll be having some alcohol, and some sugar, and maybe some other things that aren’t a part of your normal daily diet. There will also be temptation to have more around every corner. So do yourself a favor: drink 8 cups of water before you get into the festivities, get nice and hydrated so that your body won’t confuse thirst with hunger, causing you to eat a bit more than you might really need/want. And then post dinner/dessert, have a cup of ginger tea to help you digest! After that cup of tea call it a day and give your system a break from food until the following day. Start the day after Thanksgiving with a healthy breakfast- avoid temptation to have the leftover pie!
3. Limit yourself to a plate! It’s incredibly easy for Thanksgiving to turn quickly into ThanksGORGING, ha! I love myself a feast as much as the next person, so I’ve been down that road before. The tight pants and stomach ache at the end aren’t worth it, and it’s taxing on your system on top of it. I keep things under control by limiting myself to a plate, and forgoing a second round! And by plate I mean a normal plate, not the type of plate someone who’s trying to get their dollar’s worth at Sizzler makes, ok?
4. Choose a dessert! It’s not uncommon for there to be 4-5 dessert options at a Thanksgiving dinner, and that can easily lead to a crazy sugar binge that will send your body spiraling into a major crash. Choose your favorite, have a single serving and really savor it. If you feel like you won’t have the chance to eat these desserts again for another year, make a promise to yourself to dig out the recipes in Spring and make a recipe just for a treat then.
5. Practice Mindfulness. Thanksgiving is about spending time with friends and family, about being present in your gratitude. Approach the day with that mindset, let the food and drinks be the icing on the cake rather than the main event. Be present. Focus on connecting with the people you love and being grateful for what this life is. Let the food and drinks accompany that, as a delicious side note that you savor every bite of. Most importantly: enjoy it, enjoy every last minute of it!
Thank you for this timely post. much appreciated.
Thank you Matty, happy it was helpful!
This is great! An additional tip I swear by: If you want two desserts, just split each one with someone else – there’s always going to be someone else who’s trying not to eat ALL. THE. SUGAR.
YES!!!! Brilliant tip! The sugar is what gets me, every time.
my tip… eat only what you LOVE!!!! don’t just eat your traditional mashed potatoes and cassaroles just because it’s tradition. If you don’t LOVE it, don’t feel bad to skip it. make one plate of just foods you LOVE and enjoy it.
Love this Tata! YES YES!!!!
That’s such a great post. Thanks so much for sharing <3
Love, kerstin
http://www.missgetaway.com/
You’re most welcome Kerstin!
Sarah, thank you so much for posting this. It couldn’t have come at a better time, as I’m working endlessly in the kitchen all week, I really need to remind myself that the company is the most important part of this holiday. I have the most wonderful extended family and I am so grateful that I will be able to share this day with them. I will remember this post throughout my day to keep me mindful.
Cheers to you and have a delicious holiday,
Maureen
Yay Maureen, I’m so happy it was helpful!
Hope you had a beautiful celebration filled with love and laughs! xx
We don’t have thanksgiving in New Zealand! Sounds like it’s doing me a favour!
HA!!! Maybe, but you’ll have to come visit for an American Thanksgiving before you say for sure.
I will remember this post throughout my day to keep me mindful.