Thanksgiving is the tastiest holiday of the year. It’s also the only day that overindulging is expected and perfectly OK. The tricky part is getting back into the groove of normal eating post-Thanksgiving celebration. Here are a few post-Thanksgiving eating tips to help you get back on track.
Post-Thanksgiving Tip #1: Wake and Hydrate
The first step to refreshing your body post-Thanksgiving is to make sure you’re well hydrated. There are a couple reasons why you may be not be. High-sodium foods, like those typically found at Thanksgiving dinner, make the body require extra fluids. If you drank alcohol with your big dinner, you might have also experienced the diuretic effect it has on the body.
Aim to drink an extra glass or two of water then you normally would in a typical day. If you’re up for the challenge, try to get in eight 8-ounce glasses of water throughout the day.
Post-Thanksgiving Tip #2: Have a Small Breakfast
You probably won’t feel hungry for a big breakfast the morning after Thanksgiving. However, skipping breakfast can make you more likely to binge on extra food later in the day. Having a breakfast, no matter how small, will help get your metabolism going strong. Eat something filled with fiber, like a small piece of fruit or a bowl of oatmeal.
Post-Thanksgiving Tip #3: Fill Your Day with Fiber
Eating a few high-fiber foods throughout the day will help jumpstart your digestion after the Thanksgiving meal. Having a few one cup servings of whole fruits or vegetables can get you close to your daily recommended fiber intake. Fiber requires some water to work best, so drink plenty of it while enjoying your fiber-rich fruits and veggies.
Post-Thanksgiving Tip #4: Lighten Up Leftovers
The only thing better than Thanksgiving dinner is post-Thanksgiving leftovers. The not-so-good news is that the average Thanksgiving dinner can pack around 3,000 calories. That said, having another big plate of leftovers might tip the scale in an unwanted direction.
The good news is that you can enjoy your Thanksgiving leftovers by turning them into a balanced meal. Here’s a guide to building a healthier Thanksgiving leftover plate:
- Lean protein pieces like white meat turkey without skin – 1/4 plate
- Starches and grains like mashed potatoes and stuffing – 1/4 plate
- Veggie side dishes like roasted vegetables and green beans – 1/2 plate
Post-Thanksgiving Tip #5: Share the Sweetness
Having a plethora of leftover desserts makes it tempting to polish them off, sweet tooth or no sweet tooth. It’s perfectly reasonable to save yourself a serving or two of your favorite dessert. Share the remainder with family and friends; they probably won’t complain.
And Finally...Enjoy Yourself
Choose the healthy tips that are most realistic for you and incorporate them into your lifestyle. Have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.
