Wow... You Can Eat Good on Turkey Day!
You can actually eat what you want sometimes.
When dieting, it's very important to remember that you can actually have a day to just let loose at someones table. No successful meal plan should come without a cheat day. Thanksgiving just so happens to be one of the most famous cheat days in the world.
Related: Is It Ok To Cheat On My Diet During The Holidays
A caloric count actually does mean something over a day.
Wether its a heavy meal at Thanksgiving, or a quick sandwich at subway, the amount of calories you eat in one day probably wont be too ridiculous in the bigger scheme of daily eating. One pound equals 3,500 Calories. 5 pounds equal 17,500 calories. It would be safe to say that most people will not eat 5 pounds worth of food on Thanksgiving weekend. So spare yourself the anxiety of waking up monday morning thinking that you actually ate that much food over the weekend.
Dinner is not a race.
Studies show that the longer it takes to eat your meal, the least amount of calories you actually consume. So even though you will eat more food on Thanksgiving in general, it will still be very beneficial to eat your food in a social setting, so that you do so with the mindset that you will converse and eat at the same time, allowing yourself to take longer to finish the food that's actually on your plate. So going forward, make it a point to extend your meals by focusing on not only the food you're eating, but also the company you're sharing with, or the scenery that you're apart of.
Think while you eat.
Eating thoughtfully (the opposite of scarfing down fast food before you make it back to the office) has been known to help lower BMI numbers. Thinking or reflecting during the meal allows you to savor it, and be more aware of how much you will actually consume.
Most thanksgiving foods aren't that bad for you.
Turkey, sweet potatoes, greens, and other vegetables that we eat during Turkey Day are actually good for us. Some are packed with protein, fiber, and many of the vitamins we need to stay healthy. So be mindful in how you prepare your dishes so that you don't take away from the true goodness of each vegetable and meat used for the meal.
Sharing is caring (for your heart and waistline)
Turkey Day is probably the one and only day where you are willing to share your food. You pass each dish around the table, in hopes that the family all can get a share of what's good to eat. Studies show that a family that eats together with no distractions like social media, tv, and smartphones, tend to have lower BMI's. It works well on Thanksgiving, but is an entirely different story for the rest of the year.
Be grateful.
Take some time to reflect on the blessings that have been bestowed upon you. A thankful person usually takes care of themselves better in general. They're more likely to go to the doctor for checkups, do more physical activity, and treat their bodies with respect.
Get more sleep.
Research done in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research shows that a person filled with gratitude, NOT TURKEY, sleeps better at night.