Thanksgiving is a holiday known for getting together with friends and family to celebrate. Did we forget to mention the food? Many of those trying to watch their weight, get nervous around Thanksgiving because of the notorious spread of high-fat foods. However, staying healthy both physically and mentally during Thanksgiving doesn’t have to take the fun out of your holiday.

We thought it would be wise to give you some guidance from a nutritionist on how to stay healthy and well-balanced during your Thanksgiving meal. Here are our top five tips for making your Thanksgiving plate.

Make a Game Plan

When you’re concerned about anything in life, one of the best things you can do is make a game plan and prepare yourself. The same goes for your Thanksgiving meal. Think about the foods that are going to be present and which ones you want to eat most. Then think about how you can spread out your meal throughout the day, so as to not overeat in a single sitting. Knowing what you wish to eat and how to go about eating it is half the battle.

All About Portion

When making your game plan, it’s important to think about your portions. Portion control can make all the difference in eating just enough and eating too much. If you really want stuffing, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole, consider having smaller portions of each. We guarantee getting a taste of what you want and feeling moderately full after will leave you much more satisfied than eating too much of each.

Eat the Rainbow

When we say eat the rainbow, we really mean loading your plate with a wide variety of different vegetables and other colorful foods. Does your Thanksgiving spread include some green beans and brussels sprouts? How about carrots and sweet potatoes? These foods are generally lower in calories and rich in vitamins and minerals. Eating your veggies can help you balance out some of the denser foods on your plate.

White vs. Dark Meat

Turkey preference is often a divisive conversation, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re opting to eat some turkey (and who wouldn’t?), we recommend sticking to eating white meat. White meat is generally lower in fat than dark meat and is a great high-protein, vitamin-rich food to add to your Thanksgiving plate.

Avoid an “All or Nothing” Mentality

We cannot stress this enough – life is all about finding balance. Rather than approaching the holiday as “If I’m going to eat fattening foods, I might as well eat them all in large quantities,” consider approaching your day with “I’ll get to eat some of my favorite foods today and can save whatever I can’t eat today for tomorrow.” Everything is better in moderation, even your food choices.

Nutrition Counseling in Weatherford, TX 

From preparing the turkey to setting the table, our team at Alpha Care Wellness Center can help make your Thanksgiving meal unforgettable. Contact us today at (817) 550-6332 for more information on how we can assist you in putting together the perfect holiday feast!