Dieting on Thanksgiving? Enjoy Yourself!
So you’re on a diet or trying to stay fit and Thanksgiving rolls around. What should you do? What should you eat? What dinners should you forgo? My answer will surprise you – I say eat what you want with a couple of conditions. There is a reason for my madness! Please see my disclaimer at the end of the blog and continue reading to find out why.
Before I get into my logic – if you are under the supervision of a healthcare provider or nutritionist, or, have an underlying medical condition (such as diabetes) that requires you to follow a strict diet, this is not meant for you. You should follow their advice or orders in these cases. This article is for the person who may be trying to lose weight or stay fit and is otherwise healthy. So here are my thoughts that should help you enjoy your thanksgiving:
Eat what you want BUT eat in moderation
Tips
- Eat a hearty breakfast. If you are at relatives try to avoid the pancakes and french toast. If you must – limit your portions. Try opting for eggs (protein) instead. If there are cinnamon rolls – have just one or perhaps even a half. If you fill up with protein at breakfast, it should help keep your hunger at bay.
- Try to eat healthy during the day. There are usually vegetable trays around. If you must – limit yourself to ONE bowl or plate of snacks.
- Eat whatever you want at dinner but, this is important!, limit your portion sizes. Go in with your limit set in your mind.
Calorie Counting
- Pancakes with Bacon and Eggs: 1010 Calories (39g protein)
- Cinnamon Rolls: 309 Calories (4g protein)
- Nachos: 558 Calories (16g protein)
- BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich: 570 Calories (44g protein)
- Average Thanksgiving Dinner: 2,119 calories (Turkey, Rolls, Stuffing, Giblet Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potato Casserole, Green Beans, Cranberry Sauce, Red Wine)
Total Calories for the day – 4,566
Assuming that your daily calorie needs are somewhere around 2,000 calories (if you want to know what this is exactly, check out this link to a calculator) – that means you overate by about 2,566 calories. If you are able to forgo some of the breakfast foods, you may even be just a few hundred calories over.
In general – 2,566 calories will lead to a gain of less than 1 pound!
On Thanksgiving it is important to be around loved ones and family. If you are on a diet or trying to eat healthy, you can easily get consumed with guilt as you are around food ALL DAY and probably eat more than you should. But here’s the thing, Thanksgiving comes around only once a year. This is not going to make or break you!
It is not what you eat on Thanksgiving that will kill you – it’s what you eat every other day of the year!
So – why not eat what you want on this one day of the year with the caveat of keeping control of your portions but buckle down on all other days which is really what counts.
You Are Built For More!
JT
Disclaimer: I am a Nutrition Coach but am NOT a certified nutritionist of healthcare provider. This article is NOT meant to override or contradict any medical advice or care that you are receiving from a healthcare provider. I am an advocate of eating a balanced and healthy diet and in my own life practice strict portion control in general, especially on holidays like Thanksgiving.