Thanksgiving is one of those times of year when our eyes are bigger than our stomach! Many of us wonder how we will get through it without gaining 5 or 10 pounds. So how can you feel great after turkey day instead of overstuffed and uncomfortable?

Your stomach cannot miraculously hold more food today

First, remember that the amount of food your stomach can hold did not change between yesterday and today. Don't forget how uncomfortable it feels when you have eaten too much and how long it takes to start feeling better again.

Think about what it might be like to be able to not only enjoy your food this year, but also enjoy your time after eating as well!

Smaller portions, lot's of variety

There will most likely be a lot of different foods and dishes you will want to try, so serve yourself smaller portions. This will allow you to get a lot of variety without overfilling your plate with regular size portions. You'll be amazed at how great just two or three spoonfuls of a food can be satisfying.

This also allows you to not feel bad for wasting anything you might not like.

Chew your food and eat slowly. Savor!

When you're trying to control your food intake, one of the most difficult things is when you feel satisfied, but everyone around you is going for seconds. You feel out of place just sitting there, so what can you do? This year try to be the last one to begin eating your first plate and chew each bite thoroughly. That way you are eating more slowly and you won't actually be finished by the time everyone else is getting a second plate. Spend time focusing on conversation rather than how fast you can whip down the mashed potatoes.

Make a plate for yourself for later...

If the food is amazing and you don't want to miss out on having a second or third serving, but your stomach is actually comfortably full, go ahead and make another plate for yourself... then put Saran Wrap over it and stick it in the fridge. That way you will feel that you have a "treat" for later when you are hungry. The food will taste much better when you're stomach is growling again!

Split the desserts or cut them in half

There are often lots of desserts to choose from and sometimes it's hard to pick one. So take a smaller slice of two or three so that you can get the equivalent of one dessert but the ability to try more. Find some other family members or friends who are willing to split with you.

Respect what your body is saying to you

Many times our loved ones will put the pressure on for you to eat more than is good for you. They are not in your body though so they can't possibly know how you feel. I encourage you to respect yourself and respect your body. It is not an insult to stop eating when you are full. No one would put more cookies in a cookie jar than could fit. If you did, the cookies would smush and crumble when you put the top on. Why do we do this to our stomach?

This is not the last time you will eat ... the opportunity will come again.

Remember this is not the last time you will ever eat ... and there will most likely be leftovers. You will get hungry again and you will be able to eat great food again ... you don't have to do it all in one meal!

Happy Thanksgiving! Gobble Gobble!

xoxo

melissa@myheartdances.com
917-689-6530