JORIAN HOLKA
Special to The Leader
People look forward to Thanksgiving Day for a multitude of reasons: time away from school, being with family and friends, and more. However, it is undeniable that the majority of people consider the Thanksgiving food to be a major attractant.
For the health-conscious, however, the abundance of food present at Thanksgiving dinner can be somewhat daunting and, in turn, make them anxious.
The first step in taking on Thanksgiving dinner from a healthy perspective is not obsessing over it. Everybody needs and deserves a day in which he or she can enjoy one of life’s many great gifts: food.
Excessively worrying about a meal and the possible slight weight gain that can come as a result, is not healthy in and of itself. It’s important to remember that living a healthy lifestyle involves not only physical health, but also mental, emotional and social health. A responsibly enjoyed meal can aid all of the latter; Thanksgiving Day should be welcomed, not feared.
Even before the annual Thanksgiving gathering, however, there are numerous proactive steps that you can take to ensure that you get the most out of your Thanksgiving Day experience.
First off, don’t fast the morning of the big day. Doing so most often results in one overindulging at the feast and feeling regretful afterwards. Instead, eat small meals and/or snacks are high in protein and fiber. Doing so will help to maintain your metabolism, as well as fill you up and keep you full longer.
Secondly, ensure that you’re staying hydrated both prior to and during the meal. This will help to flush out the excess sodium that will most likely be consumed that day, as well as keep you fuller and ensure that you don’t overeat.
Finally, exercise as close to heading out to your holiday gathering as possible. Whether it’s cardio or weight training, any sort of exercise will rev your metabolism and prime your body for better acceptance of the macronutrients and micronutrients that will be consumed. However, remember not to go overboard with your training — overdoing it is not necessary!
Now come the steps that can be taken at the Thanksgiving dinner table itself in order to keep it a healthy-minded undertaking.
If appetizers are served, sample them — but be careful not to overindulge. However, if raw vegetables are available, feel free to have more of those, as they contain little amounts of calories and abundant fiber, which will help to control your appetite during the upcoming meal.
When the meal is served, begin with the protein — the turkey. Doing so will help minimize the blood sugar spike that often accompanies the consumption of refined carbohydrates (white bread, potatoes, white pasta, etc.) and, in turn, reduce the likeliness that your body will store the extra calories you will consume as fat. In order to maximize this effect, be sure to consume skinless white-meat turkey if possible.
Next, move on to the available vegetables. As has been stated, vegetables are full of fiber, which will help to fill you up while consuming a small amount of calories.
From there, you are free to move on to the available carbohydrate dishes and desserts.
Finally, while doing all of the above, be sure that you are eating conservatively and socializing during your meal. Take small bites, put your utensils down between bites, and converse with your loved ones. Eating slowly will allow your body time to let you know when it’s full. Savor the meal itself, as well as the time you have with your friends and family. After all, that’s what Thanksgiving is all about — giving thanks. Take the time to be thankful for the food you have been given, the loved ones you have around you and the time you have on this wonderful earth.