The countdown is on, and everyone is getting ready to tuck into a delicious Thanksgiving dinner where it seems second and third helpings are a must. While traditionally it’s known as a time for trousers to be extended to make way for lashings of turkey, cranberry sauce and potatoes dripping with butter, it’s also a time when your health can suffer.
The amount of food we consume during Thanksgiving can often be more than our bodies can handle. The proof is literally in the pudding, where weight gain is common, along with bloating, indigestion and other digestive problems. When you’re looking to get in shape and experience weight loss, your body is used to regular, small meals. So, when you all of a sudden burden your stomach with rich foods, the symptoms of your body rejecting the caloric intake can last for days.
Everyone should enjoy Thanksgiving, but we’ve included four tips below to ensure it’s as healthy as it can be.
Eat a nutritious breakfast
When you wake up on the morning of Thanksgiving, you may decide to skip breakfast to ensure there’s enough room for a generous helping of turkey. However, it’s essential that you give your body the fuel it needs to start the day. Not only can eating breakfast kickstart your metabolism, but it also helps to control your food intake should you consider going “all out” at dinner time. Therefore, when you get up, make yourself a poached egg on toast with whole grain bread, or even a bowl of toasted muesli with yogurt. You can also learn new meal options from a weight loss program held at your local physical fitness facility.
Bring a healthy appetizer
If you’re heading to the home of someone else for Thanksgiving this year, don’t be afraid to bring a healthy appetizer. While many people use Thanksgiving as an opportunity to eat all those foods that are high in calories and low in nutritional value, there’s nothing wrong with bucking the trend. In fact, there are sure to be people who appreciate a refreshing dish to start the main meal. Opt for a simple salad or even a whole grain pasta dish.
Reduce sugar and fat
If you’ve been given the task of preparing Thanksgiving dinner, there’s no reason why you can’t be wary of your sugar and fat intake. Instead of using whole fat cream or milk, butter with salt, and broth that’s laden with fat, why not opt for diet versions where possible? Shop for light dairy products, opt for butter with reduced salt content, and even swap traditional fatty broth for a fat-free version. Not only will your health benefit from the change, but your guests won’t even notice!
Go for a walk after dinner
It’s all too easy to slump into a chair post-dinner and relax with a movie on TV. Fight the urge, and get active instead. You don’t have to make a trip to a Health And Fitness Center, but even a short 15-minute walk is enough to get your body feeling better after such a large meal.
If you’re ready to get in shape, experience weight loss, or take your health and wellbeing to the next level, the time to act is now. The Fitter Female, a health and fitness center for women in Acton and Lexington, is all about helping you lose weight and improve your fitness, while under the careful guidance of a personal trainer who specializes in women’s health. Why wait? Results start when you do. Contact the caring team at The Fitter Female: a health and wellness center for women.