| tips to help out with having an enjoyable, yet | | | | Green Bean Casserole below. |
| healthy holiday season. | | | | Tip #3: Use strategy. |
| The holiday season is upon us once again. Unless | | | | Traditional Thanksgiving food items weren't all |
| you want to be thankful for an extra 7 to 10 | | | | created equal - nutritionally that is. Roasted white |
| pounds of weight gain by New Year's, consider | | | | turkey meat (without skin) is a great source of |
| this: the average person consumes around 3,500 | | | | lean protein. Vegetable dishes (without added fats) |
| calories just on Thanksgiving day. Yowza! That | | | | are also very healthy. On the other hand, buttery |
| equates to one pound in extra calories-not | | | | mashed potatoes, white bread rolls, cream based |
| including partaking in all the leftovers. Here's a few | | | | dishes, and heavy gravy are all packed with fat |
| tips and strategies to overcome the challenge of | | | | and calories. Fill your stomach with the healthy |
| weight gain beginning with Thanskgiving dinner. | | | | items first - white turkey meat and plenty of |
| Tip #1:Take 2 steps to start your day right. | | | | vegetables. Then simply 'sample' the less healthy |
| Step One: Eat breakfast. You see, most people | | | | items in small portions. This is so easy to do, save |
| skip breakfast on Turkey day in order to 'save | | | | you lots of extra calories, and you don't have to |
| room' for the feast - maybe you have done this | | | | feel like you are denying yourself, either. |
| yourself. When you eat a healthy breakfast that | | | | Tip #4: Pace yourself. |
| is high in both fiber and protein two great things | | | | Most people get into trouble at Thanksgiving |
| happen. | | | | dinner by eating full speed ahead until they finally |
| - Your metabolism is started early in the day, | | | | realize that they are full (after their second and |
| thus catapulting you into full fledged calorie burning | | | | third helping). The trouble with this method is the |
| mode. This will come in handy later in the day. | | | | lag time in communication between your stomach |
| - You won't be famished when you sit down for | | | | and brain. In reality, you probably satisfied your |
| dinner, so you will have less room to binge. (This | | | | hunger with your first plate of food, but your |
| means fewer calories land on your waist.) | | | | stomach takes a while to get that message to |
| Step Two: Exercise for 30-60 minutes. I know | | | | your brain. And during that lag time you took the |
| exercise is the last thing on your mind on a busy | | | | opportunity to go for your second and third plate |
| holiday, however it is worth your effort. You will | | | | of food. This year sit calmly in your chair after |
| negate some of the extra holiday calories and | | | | that first plate and wait at least 20 minutes |
| your metabolism will climb even higher. | | | | before getting seconds. You will be surprised to |
| Tip #2: Lighten the menu. | | | | find that the thought of more food doesn't sound |
| If you are the lucky one in control of the menu, | | | | good anymore - and you will have saved yourself |
| that makes it easier. As chef you can make a | | | | unnecessary weight gain. |
| few modifications to the meal that will drastically | | | | Tip #5: Get Support to Keep Off the Weight |
| reduce the fat and calorie intake of each guest. | | | | Want to make this holiday season extra special? |
| Try the following to lighten your meal: | | | | Why not start your very own phone coaching |
| Use nonfat yogurt or sour cream in place of | | | | program with a weight loss coach right now! |
| heavy cream-based dips and dressings. | | | | Together you will keep the holiday pounds away. |
| - Replace traditional stuffing with an assortment | | | | Hiring a coach is different than recruiting a friend |
| of chopped vegetables. Fill your turkey with | | | | to diet with, or asking your spouse to help. Truth |
| mushrooms, eggplant, onions and celery. Or | | | | be told, it's doubtful either one of these "supports" |
| replace half of your traditional stuffing with | | | | are going to hold up when put to the test. If your |
| chopped vegetables. | | | | spouse is anything like mine, he's no help at all. I'd |
| - Flavor your mashed potatoes with roasted garlic | | | | get, "It's a party, enjoy yourself!" Or, "It's |
| instead of butter. Or serve baked sweet | | | | Christmas, have what you want." And a diet |
| potatoes instead of butter laden mashed | | | | buddy is probably no better. When it comes down |
| potatoes. | | | | to it, they aren't going to jeopardize your |
| - Roast vegetables without oil - use cooking spray | | | | friendship over a diet failure. |
| instead and toss them with dill. | | | | Having a happy holiday season does not have to |
| - Use unsweetened apple sauce or pureed plums | | | | mean putting on excess weight. Using these |
| instead of butter or oil in dessert recipes. | | | | simple, easy strategies can help you avoid being |
| - Put out an assortment of fruit for dessert | | | | one of those people who end up 10 pounds |
| instead of pies. | | | | heavier by New Year's. I hope these five tips |
| - Make the recipe for Low Fat Thanksgiving | | | | keep you fit and healthy this holiday season. |