Here’s some food for thought: the average amount of calories consumed on Thanksgiving Day is around 3,000-5,000 calories! Eeek! While food usually hogs the spotlight during the holidays, it doesn’t have to overshadow your goals for good health. Knowing which foods you should be eating more of, and those you should enjoy just a few bites of, will help make your Thanksgiving Day a little healthier.
Typically, our Thanksgiving plate looks like this: stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, fried turkey, pumpkin pie, maybe a couple glasses of wine (not to mention the possibility of seconds, and thirds). All these foods are high in carbs, sugar, sodium and fat. Meanwhile, there’s hardly any fiber and the meal is low in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. After eating this type of plate, we are usually bloated, tired, and all around feeling sluggish.
One easy way to redo your Thanksgiving plate, and still enjoy some of your favorites is to start with greens and veggies and treat your plate like a pie chart.
The total calories won’t be low, but it’s much more reasonable and you won’t feel like you’ve undone any progress. With the focus on vegetables, your plate will be much higher in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. If you go for seconds, trying to stick with veggies is a smart idea.
I know you’re probably going to eat more on Thanksgiving than you would on most Thursdays. And, I understand! It’s a holiday filled with food, family, friends, and football. But remember that one day isn’t going to undo all the amazing work you’ve done so far to get here. Enjoy your day and remember what the holidays are all about!
Try these dietitian-approved, wellness program and Profile-friendly recipes for your Thanksgiving meal this year!