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Thanksgiving Day is almost here, which means it’s time to gather together with you closest friends and family, reminisce on what your thankful for, and of course, eat tons of delicious food! And as much as we all enjoy going into a food coma come that Thursday afternoon, sometimes you can feel a bit guilty about stuffing your face with tons of rich food–not to mention those leftovers! Admit it: this time of year can wreak havoc on your diet. But that doesn’t mean that it has to throw you off or make you feel guilty. In fact, here are a few ways to thoroughly enjoy Thanksgiving without feeling guilty afterwards.
1.Don’t be afraid to substitute a few ingredients. If you’re worried about consuming those extra calories, try swapping a few simple ingredients out (like butter for vegetable oil, etc.) for some low calorie, low sodium, or low fat alternatives.
2.Pace yourself at dinner time. Yes, it may be Turkey Day, and you’re used to chowing down on everything from turkey and sides to those mouthwatering desserts. Instead of just pilling up the food on your plate, think about having smaller portion sizes.
3.Do not go crazy with the leftovers. The best part about cooking Thanksgiving dinner at your house? All of the food left over is yours! Even so, don’t keep eating the same as you did on Thanksgiving throughout the weekend.
4.Get back to your regular schedule. One day of indulging won’t ruin your diet, especially if you follow you normal exercise schedule or get back to those healthy eating habits (and proportion sizes!) come the next day.
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