Tips for a Healthy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time for socializing, reconnecting with friends and family, and, last but not least, enjoying huge traditional family feasts. How can you survive without gaining weight? Following are a few tips to help you enjoy the holiday without the traditional “after-effect” that often glares back at you from the scale. Even following just some of these tips will help:

• Don’t go the table hungry. A light, healthy snack beforehand will prevent overeating at mealtime. Snack on almonds, raisins, raw vegetables and high fiber crackers.
• Remember there will always be leftovers! Don’t treat the meal as an all-you-can-eat buffet that you must consume in one sitting.
• Fill half of your plate with vegetables, one quarter with lean meat, and the rest with a starch of your choice.
• Take small bites of everything to get a taste of the meal, but watch your portion size on the side dishes.
• Be careful with high fat items such as creamy dishes, cheese-filled casseroles, and sugary items such as candied sweet potatoes. There is no need to deny yourself, though; just have a small spoonful.
• Drink plenty of water, and keep caffeine (and alcohol, if you drink it) at a minimum.
• Good choices include turkey breast (even better if you remove the skin), succotash, cranberry sauce, and the veggies in a relish tray. Fill up on these items and eat modestly of the potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, and other higher-calorie items.
• Have a small slice of dessert and eat it slowly to enjoy every bite.

Bottom line, avoid overeating and enjoy what you do eat without feeling miserable later!

Some Practical Suggestions
Need help with holiday stress, overeating, and general wellness? You can find such help in one of the following sites. Click on the names below to contact them online.

Lighthouse Network
Holidays can be among the most stressful times of the year. Whether you are missing your family, stressing about a family get-together which includes someone you don’t like, dealing with alcohol, or other stressors, having a professional, non-judgmental listener can help.

Lighthouse Network’s trained counselors are available to help callers navigate life successfully. The staff at Lighthouse Network provides treatment options for mental health and addiction challenges. If you or someone you care about is struggling with a life challenge, which can be aggravated during the holidays, call Lighthouse Network at 1-877-562-2565.

Take Shape For Life
People can gain up to ten pounds over the holidays. Are you concerned that your weight gain may cause you to fail the DOT exam? It is no secret that drivers have difficulty keeping their weight down and all the accompanying health problems in check.

Harry Sensenig, a former trucker, is well aware of the challenges of eating in a healthy way and exercising while on the road. After experiencing first-hand the benefits of the “Take Shape For Life” program, a safe, fairly easy, portable way to get your weight down to an acceptable level, he and his wife, Jodi, have become certified health coaches with the program and can help you “get in shape for life.”

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