Balancing your plate around the holidays can seem tricky, but follow these easy tips to keep your plate on an even keel while you’re enjoying those once a year foods.
Start with- Protein, Protein, Protein!
Protein should be an ample base of your plate. Protein fills you up, and keeps you feeling full so you are not tempted To snack, snack, snack later. BONUS- Turkey is a very lean meat.
There’s always been a rivalry between white and dark meat. Although there is a difference between the two in calories and fat, it is not as much of a difference as one would think. According to the New York Times, an ounce of boneless, skinless, white turkey breast has 46 calories and 1 gram of fat compared to 50 calories and 2 grams of fat in one ounce of boneless, skinless, dark thigh. Ditch the skin and enjoy this juicier cut of bird.
Move to- Savory Sides
When it comes to putting the sides on your plate, stack those colorful vegetables high and wide!
Planning a veggie casserole? Smaller portions please…even though a green bean casserole has non-starchy vegetables in it, with all the other added ingredients, you should consider it a starchy side.
The starchy sides, such as sweet potatoes and creamed corn, are okay to have in moderation. The holidays are a great time to indulge in treats that are not served year round, so enjoy them on Thanksgiving Day, then get back to the everyday habits that make the real difference
Next Up-Alcohol or No Alcohol
So much can be said here, but let’s keep it simple:: 1 for women, 2 for men. Roughly 150 calories per drink. So you decide… how do you want to spend those calories?
Finally-Burn Off Those Calories!
This is a great day for a little activity. Early or late, no difference. Going on a family walk around the neighborhood is an easy way to burn some calories from the indulgences of the day. Walking around the mall Black Friday shopping is a fun way to burn calories after your feast!
Follow these few tips and you can enjoy your Thanksgiving and eat it too. And in the spirit of the day, thanks for reading!