6 Ways to Avoid Thanksgiving Weight Gain

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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

GoLocal Health Team

While you're getting out the dishes and whipping up the pies, remember that this holiday doesn't have to be your weight gain Waterloo. There are smart and easy ways to avoid overeating and stay healthy this holiday (because there is more to come!).

The first thing to remember, says Mary Flynn, PhD, RD, LDN, research dietitian at the Miriam Hospital, is that you should enjoy the foods at Thanksgiving, whether at your own home or someone else's. It's just a question of strategies.  Here are Flynn's top tips for staying sane this weekend.

Plan ahead. Make sure you know what's going to be on the table. A buffet can be your biggest challenge but knowing what's on it ahead of time allows you to plan to eat the foods you're really looking forward to, and avoid fillers.

Splurge on holiday foods. Don't bother with the pretzels and the chips. Enjoy those foods that actually come with the holiday, as that's the special reward of the holiday.

Have dessert for lunch. In the days after Thanksgiving, you may have sweets lingering around. Bring them to work and they can substitute for your lunch instead of adding on to later meals. 

Plan for day-after exercise. Plan to be more active the day after Thanksgiving. Pick an outdoor activity, because the cooler outdoor temperature will require you burn more calories.

Have a snack before heading to Thanksgiving dinner. Never arrive at this, or any holiday party, hungry. As soon as you start to eat something fatty and salty, fatty and sweet, you will start eating more and more food.

Avoid low-fat or non-fat recipe substitutes. They may sound appealing, but we love fat in our baked goods, and if you have a high-quality cookie or cake, you're going to be satisfied. If you're eating something with substitutes, you may end up eating more and take in more calories through sweeteners.

To hear more from Mary Flynn, watch her, here.

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