Thanksgiving Feast - Yes Please!

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One of my favorite holidays is definitely Thanksgiving! Not only is it a time that I get to spend with my whole family and eat amazing food, but it is also around my birthday, so there are always extra treats! Thanksgiving can be a time that many people stress about because of all of the food that is offered. Some may worry about their calorie consumption, trying to eat all of the foods to please everyone, or just trying to make healthy choices at the meals. Well… no need to worry! There are many things that can be done to make the holiday a little bit more stress free!

The first thing is eating a well-rounded snack prior to going to your holiday celebration. If you eat a snack that contains carbs and protein you will feel more full longer and will be less likely to eat to the point of being beyond full. Another option is using a smaller plate, so that you do not take as large of portions of everything. This keeps “sampling” in mind, so that you can try all of the dishes without overloading your plate and feeling like you must eat everything and clean your plate.

When people think of Thanksgiving feasts, the first thing that comes to mind is turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. However, there are so many healthy seasonal produce options in the fall season! This includes squash, pumpkin, apples, leafy greens, cranberries, pears, and many more! There are so many AMAZING fall recipes with these ingredients that would be great for a Thanksgiving feast and make the table very colorful! Check out this link for some healthy ideas for desserts and side dishes! 
https://eatrightpa.org/members/blog/thanksgiving-sides-desserts-registered-dietitian/


I don’t know about you, but treats are definitely my weakness especially around the holidays! It is important to indulge a little bit around the holidays because it only comes around once a year and it is important to be thankful and enjoy the delicious food with friends and family. One way to modify the treats around the holidays is making mini treats! Often times, people want to try multiple sweets and this way you can, and the portion sizes are much smaller!

The last thing that can be helpful around the holidays is asking yourself if it is really worth it? Growing up, I always tried to eat absolutely everything because I did not want to hurt a family member’s feelings by not trying something. However, over the years I have learned that some foods at Thanksgiving I can have at any time, so I kind of skip those options and indulge in the foods that are only made once a year. This can cut down on filling up on those cheese and crackers that are offered before the meal!

It is so important to enjoy holiday food and the time that you can spend with family and friends. The holidays should not be a time to stress about all of the calories being consumed, but it is important to just be mindful about your eating habits around the holidays!

MF
https://www.healthywomen.org/content/article/registered-dietitians-offer-tips-healthier-thanksgiving
https://eatrightpa.org/members/blog/thanksgiving-sides-desserts-registered-dietitian/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/transcripts/1694_healthy-holiday-eating

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