Action Tips: Eat Smarter on Thanksgiving

While Thanksgiving is a great day to indulge, don’t overdo it. According to the Calorie Control Council, the average American eats 4,500 calories and 229 grams of fat during the holiday. Bring down your calorie and fat intake while still dining like royalty.

1. Eat breakfast. You don’t miss the most important meal of the day during the other 364 days of the year. Skipping breakfast will just lead to overeating, and that’s not what you want.
2. Drink your H20. Skip the soda and sugary juices. Drinking 16 ounces of water before your meal will leave you stuffed as you eat less food.
3. Smaller is better… especially when it comes to your plates. Piling your food on smaller plates will trick your head into thinking you’re having an epic feast, when you’re really just eating a normal-sized meal.
4. Portion control. Just because it’s a special occasion doesn’t mean you can forget about your greens. Fill up half of your plate with vegetables. Leave the rest of your plate for a lean meat and starch.
5. Slow down. One study found that people eat less when they chew for an extra three seconds. The brain gets signals that your stomach is full when you chew more.
6. Start the meal with a salad. Good salads are often filled with vital nutrients that you’re not going to find in the rest of your meal. Just don’t coat it with a fatty ranch dressing; that’ll ruin everything that was healthy about it.
7. That bread looks tempting. You have the rest of the meal to look forward to, though. Stick with one buttery crescent and your appetite won’t be spoiled.
8. Nix the can. That jelled-out cranberry sauce in the shape of a cylinder is probably a staple in your household. Don’t touch it, since it’s full of sugar. Make your own homemade sauce, instead; it definitely tastes a lot better, too.
9. Crisp skin isn’t good. This applies for both your skin and the turkey. Throw it to the side! It’ll cut out some fat and cholesterol from your system. Also, stick with a white meat. It’s way less fatty.
10. It’s the great pumpkin. This squash is filled with beta-carotene and potassium, so it’s one of the healthiest Thanksgiving desserts out there. You won't feel too guilty choosing another slice of the pumpkin instead of the pecan pie.
11. What to do with those leftovers? You can just have a repeat of Thanksgiving for a few days, or you can spice things up with some healthy recipes. Make an awesome turkey chili or stew with what remains. Or, if you just want to give your food away, send it home with your family or give it to a homeless shelter.

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