Well, other than Super Bowl Sunday, Turkey Day is the biggest EATING day of the year. But unlike the Super Bowl, which is over in a day, Thanksgiving seems to give some people carte-blanche to eat for the next 5-6 weeks. I think that by starting with Thanksgiving and realizing that you can get through the day without eating the estimated average of 5,000 calories Americans consume (no kidding – I heard that on the Today Show) the holidays will be much easier to deal with. So, here are some tips to remember:

1. Do not go without eating all day and wait for dinner. Have some cereal, fruit, oatmeal, yogurt or some other breakfast food that is nutritious.

2. By not eating all day and going to dinner starving you will have set yourself up for an emotional, as well as physical binge, so eat sometime before you go.

3. Remember, the foods that most people serve on THANKSGIVING are foods that are available all year long. You can always cook a turkey dinner anytime; so don’t treat it like the last supper.

4. Eat sensibly. If you like everything, take a taste and move on. If you start eating massive amounts of food because it is Thanksgiving, you will probably feel horrible before bedtime and the next day. Eating all of those fats and carbs will send your body into orbit. All of your organs have to work harder to sustain the body and the heart will actually need to pump more blood because of abnormal caloric intake.

5. The biggest reason not to overeat is you will feel so much better for doing it. I have been getting through the holidays for many years and I clearly remember all of the Thanksgivings I stuffed and gorged because it was THANKSGIVING and that is what I thought I had to do. I have a serious talk with myself about it and eat consciously. Again, you can taste if you need to, but keep it under control.

You can do it!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL…BE PEACEFUL, BLESSED AND GRATEFUL. MAY YOUR DAY BE FILLED WITH LOVE.

Debra