The average holiday dinner has over 2,700 calories! Consuming that many calories is challenging for anyone following a healthy dietary program. The following tips allow you to minimize excess calorie consumption after your holiday meal without having to deprive yourself.
*If you are a guest at a holiday meal, eat a healthy breakfast or a light snack before leaving. Being overly hungry increases the chances you’ll overeat.
*Thanksgiving or Christmas/Holiday dinner is not an all you can eat buffet. Portion your plate: 40% lean protein, 40% vegetables, and 20% with a starch of your choice. Eat slowly (put your fork down between bites) and do not drink with your meal or for at least 30 minutes after eating.
*Go skinless with your turkey. Choose your turkey portion, preferably white meat, skinless. Turkey without the skin slashes a majority of fat and cholesterol.
*For side dishes, limit your portions to a couple of bites. After a couple of bites, your taste buds become accustomed to the food. Think “sample” rather than a “portion” with side dishes.
*Make the decision to eat healthier items. High fat food items are fried, creamy dishes as well as cheese-filled casseroles in a traditional holiday meal. For example, mashed potatoes are usually made with butter, milk, or even cream. Green bean casseroles are often prepared with high fat cream of mushroom soup, cheese, milk and fried onion rings. Candied yams are packed with cream, sugar, and marshmallows (more sugar!). If you are unsure of the ingredients, limit yourself to a smaller helping size. Remember, moderation is key to holiday eating.
*Water! Make sure to keep your habit of water intake throughout the day. Drinking water will not only keep you hydrated and alert to enjoy your holiday but will also help fill your stomach and control your appetite.
Remember the focus of the holidays are family, friends, and the priorities of your life and not food. Stuff the turkey - not yourself!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Believe In Yourself,
Cathy
It feels great to think about all of the great things you plan to do.
First, set aside regular time to exercise even when you are busy. This regular exercise appointment you make with yourself brings order to your day and helps to assign priorities to our daily routine. 
*Take a walk with your family and friends before your meal to avoid overeating. By taking a walk prior to your meal, you are less likely to make unhealthy food choices. You can also take a walk after your meal to assist you from feeling overly stuffed. By knowing you’ll walk after you’ve eaten, you will think twice before taking those seconds.
Typical restaurant entrees are often so large that they contain calories and fat in amounts appropriate for two people (or even more!). The problem is, we’ve become so accustomed to being served impressive, plate-filling meals that we’ve lost sight of what healthy portions should look like. Restaurants, knowing that we equate quantity with value, aren’t about to start serving us smaller, healthier portions—unless we ask for them. Want something smaller - Ask! Tell your food server you want a smaller version of the meal they’re offering. 
