Tips to help you survive Thanksgiving:
- Keep your stress levels low if possible. If you are hosting the holiday, delegate, delegate, delegate! Make lists and throw out all signs of perfectionism. Anything that can be put off to next week should be put off to next week.
- Get plenty of rest and sleep. Keeping yourself on a predictable sleep schedule will help your digestive system to stay regular.
- Engage in exercise for overall health and added stress relief.
- Practice yoga or relaxing stretching exercises regularly to offset holiday pressure.
- Eat small, frequent and healthy meals. Make sure your body is in tiptop shape prior to the main event. Eating foods off plan foods often lead to craving for more, leaving you at risk for unhealthy choices on the big day.
The Meal
- Reach for Ideal Protein foods to start (so you are not starving when you arrive at the table)
- Think lean protein: grilled or roasted meats are best and have plenty!
- Drink water –ALL DAY LONG!
- Raw vegetables are great healthy choices (make sure they are IP friendly)
- Choose white meat turkey, as dark meat has a higher fat content.
- Mashed cauliflower is a better option than high carb fatty, buttery mashed potatoes.
- Steamed vegetables are generally easy to digest and low in carbs and fat.
- Take a large helping of the healing powers of gratitude. Give thanks for the meal and the special gift of the individuals with whom you are sharing the holiday.
Dessert
- Enjoy an ideal protein dessert (go to http://www.windsorspinecenter.com/hopes-holiday-recipes-volume-1 for recipes) Eating healthy does not have to mean total deprivation. Have something sweet and delicious and feel good about it!
- Sip Cinnamon tea with a little Walden Farms pancake syrup as sweetener (go to http://www.windsorspinecenter.com/hopes-holiday-recipes-volume-1 for recipe)
Wrap Up
At the end of the day, take stock as to how you feel. Were you able to make healthy food choices in spite of the smorgasbord of unhealthy choices? Does your stomach feel sated and quiet? What would you do differently next year? Congratulate yourself for paying such good attention to the most important blessing of all, yourself.