Thrive through Thanksgiving
The holiday season is upon us as we kick it all off with my all-time favorite, Thanksgiving!
In my past, holidays would bring up a lot of anxiety, calorie counting and stress which always end up ruining the day and the time I spent with my family. Holidays are meant to be special days that we hold and cherish as memories, where we spend time together with those that mean the most to us. Regardless of what your goals are for your health, I’ve put some thought into some tips that have helped to set me up for success.
Start the day with a good breakfast. We all know that if we skip meals, our bodies go into mealtime in a state of overhunger. We want you to maintain your blood sugar levels throughout the day which means, NO restricting meals or pre-turkey snacks. Think Protein + Fiber + Fat for breakfast, so perhaps that means poached eggs on avocado toast, or a bowl of warm oatmeal with pumpkin puree, walnuts and cinnamon.
Move a little. Not into a full on 5K race the morning of a holiday? That’s okay! Try and grab a friend or a family member and do a walk around the neighborhood with a cup of coffee in the morning, plan a game of pickleball or roll out your yoga mat and do a quick flow pre-turkey.
Bring a side. Not sure what Nana is cooking this year? Bring your own sides! Offer to help cook or bring a recipe you make. Maybe make a simple roasted brussel sprouts dish or a festive quinoa with pomegranates and roasted butternut squash. If there is one thing on the table that you know will make you feel good, bring it!
Be mindful when making your plate. Even if you do go for the stuffing and mashed potatoes, make sure you are getting some other colors on your plate too. I am not telling you to replace anything you want to eat, but rather ADD IN some health to your plate - whether that is in the form of sauteed greens or a roasted vegetable side, try and fit it in. Eat slowly and check in with yourself on how hungry or full you are as you eat. Do you really want seconds, or thirds? Honor what your body is asking for!
Stay hydrated. It’s fun to partake in libations, and I love a glass of champagne or wine on holidays. Try and prioritize having a glass of water in between cocktails. This will also help with digestion and minimize bloating.
Don’t beat yourself up. At the end of it, it is only one day. Enjoy the moment. These holidays are so important to spend with your loved ones and as I always say, JOY IS A NUTRIENT. So soak up all the love and know that tomorrow is a new day.
I will end by saying, I know that holidays can bring up a lot for people around food. Please know that I am here for you and if you want to chat more about a more specific plan for you, PLEASE reach out!
oh, and happy thanksgiving :)
xx
