Tips for Having an Enjoyable, Healthy Thanksgiving
by Cascade Ice on November 20, 2020
Photo credit: Alicia Bruce
Thanksgiving is synonymous with a giant feast, after which you loosen the buttons on your pants. And sometimes, if you’re trying to stay on track with your health goals, it can be filled with regret for overindulging – which can set you even further back.
Instead of overdoing it this Thanksgiving, why not try a more balanced approach that will allow you to indulge in your favorite foods and treats, while still keeping you on track? Cascade Ice can help! Below we offer a few tips to help you navigate this holiday season confidently, so you can stay healthy and confident.
Start Thanksgiving with Exercise
Losing and maintaining weight is all about “Calories in, calories out.” Which means, if you exercise and burn calories on Thanksgiving, you can take in more calories than you could if you hadn’t exercised at all. And remember that exercise doesn’t have to be complicated or rigorous – you can do an at-home yoga video, or simply take a neighborhood walk to burn those extra calories! A small sweat each day can go a long way in improving your overall health.
Eat a Filling Breakfast
Most people think that they should save their calories for the big feast, but that approach usually ends up being counterproductive. Experts actually suggest that eating a small, protein-packed meal in the morning can give you more control over your appetite when the big Thanksgiving day meal comes. Trying eating eggs, avocado toast, or a protein-packed smoothie before the big meal, so you won’t feel famished.
Pick Your Favorite Foods
For some, Thanksgiving is all about the turkey, or even the stuffing. To avoid overeating, focus on 1-3 food items that you must have, and skip those you don’t. If you indulge in the food that you’re really looking forward to eating, you won’t feel deprived, and by eliminating those things you may not be crazy about, you’re saving yourself some unnecessary calories.
Limit the Alcohol
It can be very difficult to stay away from alcohol during the holiday season, but alcoholic beverages are notorious for being full of empty calories. Not to mention, they can limit your inhibitions, leading to unnecessary snacking. What to drink instead? Try a fun mocktail with fresh fruit (Cascade Ice has some great recipe ideas that are low-calorie and low-sugar, and you can make any of them into “mocktails” by eliminating the alcohol). Drinking more water throughout Thanksgiving day can also help curb hunger cravings and keep you from overeating. Pass the H20, please!
How do you stay on track during the Thanksgiving holidays? Tell us in the comments below! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
