The average person gains between seven and ten pounds in the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Holiday festivities that are centered around food are unavoidable during this time of year, which means that to keep from gaining weight, you must make healthy food choices whenever possible. That doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorites, as making a few simple changes could be all that’s needed to help you keep things under control.
Low-Calorie Twists on Classic Favorites
Just because you are on a diet does not mean your guests want to dine on nothing but vegetables. A Thanksgiving meal isn’t complete without mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberries, and other traditional dishes, all of which are laden with calories. To ensure you are able to enjoy all your favorites while also reducing the number of calories you consume, consider:
- Substituting whole or 2% milk for the heavy cream in mashed potatoes
- Baking stuffing separately so that fat droppings will not add to the calorie count
- Making pies with phyllo dough, which is thinner and contains fewer calories than traditional crust.
- Using plain yogurt rather than sour cream in your green bean casserole
- Cutting the skin off of your turkey before serving, and consuming dark meat rather than white
- Using reduced fat cheese to make macaroni and cheese.
Burning those Thanksgiving Calories
There’s more you can do besides just modifying your favorite recipes. Here are a few ideas:
- Go on a brisk walk after a big meal. Better yet, take your family on a walk around the neighborhood to see Christmas lights rather than going for a drive in the car.
- When at a party, offer to help the host clean up. Doing so will get you up and away from the table so you won’t be tempted to get seconds.
- When you are the host, spend more time focusing on your guests. Getting up to refill drinks or take up dirty dishes will distract you and make it less likely that you will overeat.
- Don’t overdo it. Just because it’s Thanksgiving does not mean you are obligated to eat until you are stuffed.
Careful planning before the holiday is needed if you are to avoid weight gain during Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you do pack on a few extra pounds despite your best efforts, please contact us here at McRae Medical Laser Spa for a plan to help take them off.