Enjoy The Holidays Healthfully

How To Have A Healthy Thanksgiving

End of the year holidays are a time when our eyes are often bigger than our stomach! Many of us wonder how we will get through them without gaining 5 or 10 pounds. So how can you feel great after parties and meals instead of overstuffed and uncomfortable?

Your stomach cannot miraculously hold more food just because it's the holidays.

First, remember that the amount of food your stomach canhold did not change between yesterday and today. Rememberhow uncomfortable you feel after you have eaten too muchand how long it takes to start feeling better again.

Do you want to be able to enjoy your food, and enjoy yourtime after eating as well?

Smaller portions, lot's of variety

If there's a lot of food that you want to try, serve yourselfsmaller portions. This way you can get a variety of everything.

Chew your food and eat slowly. Savor!

When you're trying to control your food intake, one of the mostdifficult things is when you feel satisfied, but everyone else is going for seconds. You feel out of place to just sit there. Whatcan you do? Try to be the last one to begin eating your firstplate and chew each bite thoroughly. That way you are eatingmore slowly and you won't actually be finished by the timeeveryone else is getting a second plate. Chew about 50 timesfor each bite of food and set your fork down between bites.

Make a plate for yourself for later...

If the food is amazing and you don't want to miss out on havinga second or third serving, but your stomach is actuallycomfortably full, go ahead and make a plate for yourself, putSaran Wrap over it and stick it in the fridge. That way you willfeel that you have a "treat" for later when you are hungry.

The food will taste much better if you eat it when you are hungry!

Split the desserts or cut them in half

There are often lots of desserts to choose from andsometimes it's hard to pick one. So take a smaller slice oftwo so that you can get the equivalent of one dessert butthe ability to try both.

Respect what your body is saying to you

Many times are loved ones will put the pressure on for you toeat more. They are not in your body though so they can't possibly know how you feel. I encourage you to respect yourself and respect your body. It is not an insult to not eatmore. No one would put more cookies in a cookie jar than could fit. If you did, what would happen when you put thetop on? They would smush and crumble.

This is not the last time you will eat...the opportunity willcome again

Most of all remember this is not the last time you will ever eat...andthere will most likely be leftovers. You will get hungry againand you will be able to eat great food again....you don't haveto do it all in one meal!

Check out the recipe below for a healthy dish you can makethis year.

Melissa King
Holistic Nutrition Counselor
http://www.wellnessandenergy.com