November 1996 News
November has arrived to find you adjusting to the time change, pulling out the wool sweaters from the back of your closet, and inevitably worrying about the unwanted weight gain that seems to sneak upon you during the holidays. No wonder you're worrying when you consider the fact that the traditional Thanksgiving meal can stuff you with over 3000 calories. More than 45% of those calories come from fat.
While you may look forward to traditions during the season, you may regret the nice farewell package those traditions leave on your waistline. Not to fear though! Thanksgiving can be enjoyed and leave you with only fond memories to relish when spring approaches. Take note of the following suggestions:
Thoughts for Thanksgiving
- Eat for hunger. Don't wait until the big meal to feed yourself. Starving is likely to lead to uncontrolled eating and over-feeding once you finally sit down to the meal. Consider a breakfast of fresh fruit and whole wheat pumpkin bread. If you are not dining until the late afternoon, you may enjoy snacking on raw vegetables dipped in a fat-free dip, or celery stuffed with whipped fat-free cream cheese seasoned with garlic powder.
- Plan your plate. If the whole spread looks absolutely scrumptious, plan to choose only a few bites of each desired food. This plan will allow you to sample all of the goods.
- Stop for fullness. The food you just slaved over isn't going anywhere. You will have the days ahead to enjoy all of the leftovers. When it is time to sit down, take your time to enjoy the food while slowly eating a little. Stop when you start to feel full, and then you'll be able to eat a little more again in a few hours. Overfeeding yourself will leave you feeling weighed-down, sluggish, and bloated.
- Walk it off. Start a new holiday tradition of partaking in a post-meal stroll, enjoying the autumn colors and crisp air. First, be sure to store perishable leftovers promptly in the refrigerator. Food poisoning is one new Thanksgiving tradition you and your family would care to do without!
