Checks and Balances of Your Thanksgiving Meal

Did you know that the average Thanksgiving meal has over 2,700 calories!  Consuming that many calories is challenging for anyone following a healthy dietary program, especially a weight loss surgery patient.

“USA Today” carried an interesting article about walking.  In a regular day, the goal is to walk 10,000 steps.  That is not for Thanksgiving Day!  It takes a lot of steps to burn off calories, and especially those we face in making food choices for Thanksgiving.  If you overindulge this Thanksgiving, consider the following steps values.  Awareness of the step values in what you eat can assist you in your food choices and to be more careful the rest of the holidays.

1 cup of holiday stuffing	6,992 steps
1/2 cups of candied yams	3,910 steps
3 ounces of roast turkey	2,737 steps
8 ounce glass of red wine	3,266 steps
1 slice of pumpkin pie	5,267 steps
1 slice of homemade pecan pie	1,569 steps

A mile is approximately 2,000 to 2,500 steps depending on your stride. The steps and calories are calculated upon someone who weight 150 pounds.

You can get in some extra steps by creating a new tradition of walking it off!  After you’ve eaten your Thanksgiving meal, take a walk together.  It will burn off some additional calories, get in extra steps and allow more together time for those people you’ve enjoyed your Thanksgiving meal.

Keep in mind that what you eat on this one holiday can take days (or weeks?) to burn off.  While the Thanksgiving specialties are tempting, you don’t have to overdo.  Keep it in check by being aware of what you’re eating as to what it will cost you in activity.

Have you ever noticed that your taste sensation for an item usually is at its highest with the second or third bite?  After that, your enjoyment isn’t as high.  Appy the same to your Thanksgiving meal.  If your Aunt Ruth’s specialty dish is a must for you, go ahead but keep it to two or three bites.  You’ll get the same enjoyment without the added calories of a large portion.

You can have a happy Thanksgiving that is healthy.  You don’t have to restrict yourself but Thanksgiving is not a license to indulge and undo what you’ve done the rest of the year.  Take a bite or two of something you’d like to taste rather than pile it on your plate.  Keep your health in mind while you enjoy the bounty of family and friends on Thanksgiving.

Believe In Yourself,
Cathy, CLC
Certified Life Coach, Weight Loss Surgery Coach
Certified Back On Track Facilitator