Eat Healthy During Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day has been an annual holiday in the US since 1863. It is claimed that Thanksgiving dates back to 1598 in El Paso, Texas. Many people trace its origins to the harvest celebration in Plymouth, Massachusetts in the early 1960s — giving thanks for rain that ended a drought.¹

What does Thanksgiving mean to you? For most people, the meaning of Thanksgiving is feasting! The real meaning is to gather in unity and express gratitude — to give thanks with the abundance of our hearts.

Are you dreading on what you should do to avoid the weight gain associated with the holidays? Or how to burn off all those calories from the food you ate?

Here are a few tips to eat healthy during Thanksgiving:^2,3

1. Eat sitting up straight, and not standing up — A good posture will help you to naturally breathe properly and it will support your digestion. And most importantly, you will eat more consciously.

2. Eat plenty of vegetables — At least one-third of your plate should consist of vegetables and fruits, which have a higher water content. This will help you to control your hunger while getting adequate nutrients.

3. Use a small plate!

4. Save your calories for your main Thanksgiving meal. Reduce complex carbohydrate intake, eat moderate fat, and focus on lean protein sources.

5. Drink plenty of water — This will allow you to eat at a slower pace causing you to eat less.

6. Enjoy the meal!  The joy of eating with your family and friends will be so much more if you are conscious that the food you are eating is becoming a part of you.

Here’s a recipe for you to enjoy this Thanksgiving!

Cici Madawala, B.S.
Director of Marketing
Live Your Life^TM
Bringing Physical Therapy & Wellness to You!

Cici Madawala graduated from St Cloud State ͐University with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication and minors in Geography and German

She is passionate about helping people and strives to help individuals get back on healthy routines and do the things they love. In her leisure time, she loves to travel, and explore other cultures and cuisines

References
¹Thanksgiving History, Plimoth Plantation, https://www.plimoth.org/learn/just-kids/homework-help/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-history. Accessed 21 November 2018.

²Tips to eat healthy on Thanksgiving, Vital Record, https://vitalrecord.tamhsc.edu/tips-to-eat-healthy-on-thanksgiving. Accessed 21 November 2018.

³10 Ways to Eat Smarter at Thanksgiving Dinner, Consumer Reports. https://www.consumerreports.org/healthy-eating/10-ways-to-eat-smarter-at-thanksgiving-dinner/. Accessed 21 November 2018.