Thanksgiving Tradeoffs…

On the fourth Thursday in November we in the United States do something that is so… American. We have a holiday set aside to celebrate the abundance of food. And while we are far from the 1600’s and a good percentage of us BUY our food for this holiday, and have done nothing to grow it ourselves (of course with a few exceptions), it is safe to say that most will be eating far more than what the Pilgrims and Indians ate at the first Thanksgiving celebrations.

So, while I try my best to not throw cold water on most celebrations, I offer up several tradeoffs on the Thanksgiving traditions and encourage families to adopt new ones.

1. If you have not already kicked off the eating season nearly a month ago with Halloween, you are surely about to start now. So, I always encourage people to “go easy” on Wednesday and Friday (and even Saturday and Sunday). This means, lighten up on your “normal” calorie intake on these 2-4 days to allow for the excess calories you will inevitably consume on Thursday.


2. Go for that Turkey Trot or any other activity on Thursday morning. Check out active.com and look for a local event and sign up for a 5K run or walk. Any little bit helps. Not in the mood to fork out $20-$30 for a run? Then do it on your own! I see so many people on the trails around my house on Thanksgiving morning, you would think there was an event in my own neighborhood.


3. Eat breakfast. So many people skip breakfast thinking that it will be a tradeoff for all the calories they will be eating later in the day. The problem is they are so hungry by mid-morning or noon, they have snacked through the appetizers, are snatching up the skin, and you definitely don’t want them carving the turkey! There won’t be any left for you. Eat breakfast, and you will feel just fine for the meal later in the day. If you have a late Thanksgiving dinner (4 pm or later) then think about a light lunch as well. A hungry person makes poor choices.


4. Appetizers – a meal before the meal. What appetizers do you have? Chips and salsa/queso? Shrimp cocktail? Cheese and crackers? Veggies with dip? All of these are ok (the veggies are great, it’s the dip that can be calorie laden 2 Tb. = 120 calories!), but be careful in that you don’t consume 1,000 calories of snacks before you sit down to eat!


5. Alcohol is loaded with calories and can easily be overdone. Regular beer is 150 calories per 12-ounces (less in light beer, 110 calories). Wine is around 80-100 calories in a 4-ounce glass (that’s only ½ cup) and those mixed drinks can add up too. A shot of rum, vodka, whiskey, tequila, etc. is 100 calories (80 proof – higher proof will provide more calories). But keep in mind, if you have rum and Coke, add calories for the Coke, vodka and cranberry juice, add calories for the cranberry juice. Watch these calories, they are easy to lose track of, and very easy to desire, especially if you are the hostess/host.


6. Don’t drink? That’s ok – you can still load up on the calories. Punch, eggnog, cider and the soda standby will always have calories (except diet soda), so again watch the calories here. Just because you don’t consume the alcohol, don’t think you are “safe” from the drinkable calories.


7. If you don’t like it, don’t eat it. It took me many years, but I finally just quit taking that spoonful of dressing/stuffing. Stuffing scares me (food poisoning) and I just don’t like it anyway, whether it’s been inside a bird or not.


8. Get over the guilt. In so many traditional families, some individuals will eat things to not hurt someone’s feelings, or someone give someone a guilt trip over not trying something. Don’t fall for it. It is just food. I hate asparagus, and my mother-in-law makes it for every holiday meal. Everyone loves it! I’m the only one who doesn’t. In the early years, I would take one or two spears and choke it down in order to not offend her. (Early years: if only we could do them over again, it would be easier.) Now, I know it isn’t a big deal. I just skip it.


9. Take a(nother) walk. After you have finished dinner, and have HELPED with the dishes and leftovers, this is a good time to take a family walk. I know, I know. There is football on T.V. So go for a walk anyway! One year, it was just the girls. Some of your crazy neighbors will very likely have his Christmas decorations up already.


10. After you have burned some calories, now you can have dessert. Not sure what you want? We always have two types of pies and can never decide. So, have one of each, but not a full piece. SAMPLE each one. Have a half slice or smaller. Remember the crust is the unhealthiest part, so if you leave a bit of that behind all the better. Pumpkin is fewer calories than pecan. And definitely have some whipped cream instead of ice cream.

Doing all of these tips will save you some calories, but please remember to enjoy the day. You don’t need to avoid your favorite foods, just watch the overload and balance the days and calories in other places. These tips can be applies to any eating holiday.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and Eat Well, Live Well, Be Well!