Thanksgiving is officially here! Read up on my favorite mindful eating tips in my latest article for Anton Newspapers & Long Island Weekly. Here is a brief excerpt from the article:
Did you know that the average American consumes up to 4,500 calories during their Thanksgiving Meal? Let’s put this into perspective- an average healthy person should consume anywhere between 1,500-2,500 calories daily depending on their age, gender, height and weight. If we average this out to 2,000 calories per day, a typical Thanksgiving meal is packing in over double our daily caloric needs for the entire day.
During this time of year, eating in moderation seems to go out the window. Don’t let the holidays derail your healthy efforts. By mindfully eating this Thanksgiving and listening to your body, you’ll be able to avoid overindulging and manage your weight. Here are a few of my favorite tips for mindful eating this Thanksgiving:
Choose A Smaller Plate
If you have the option, try putting your food on a salad plate instead of a large dinner plate. You’ll be forced to choose smaller portions and carefully select which foods you are going to mindfully indulge in. Our eyes are often bigger than our stomachs; try to sensibly fill up your plate and enjoy your meal. If you choose a balanced meal, you won’t need to go back for seconds or thirds.
Go Easy On The Appetizers
When I was growing up, I used to eat every appetizer in sight during the holidays as if I was going to starve. One holiday I realized a very simple concept—there was still a full meal ahead of me. There is no need to waste calories and get overly stuffed by mindlessly eating calorically dense appetizers. If you’re not careful during the beginning of your Thanksgiving feast, you may spend the majority of your calories on chips and dip. Opt for water-based fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber but low in calories. Munch on fresh crudité and save some calories for your dinner meal. Remember, there is always a full meal ahead.
Minimize Leftovers
All of the guests are gone but the fridge is still packed with leftovers. Don’t let Thanksgiving last longer than it needs to; get those extra leftovers out of the house to avoid mindlessly grazing throughout the week. Pack a small container of leftovers for each guest as they leave, or try your best to...
Read the full article here:
Xoxo,
Stef