Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and with it may come fears of overeating, laziness and subsequent weight gain. Many people are prone to overeating and decreased activity during the holidays, but there are things that can help keep people trim over Thanksgiving break.
The first preparation can even be done before Thanksgiving dinner. Carol Goldberg, Ph.D., of Webmd.com, suggests planning ahead to help with self-control.
Don’t starve before dinner. Try eating a small, healthy snack before the meal. If you absolutely can’t eat a little something before dinner, try drinking a large glass of water before filling a plate. This will help fill the stomach and help create a full feeling sooner.
Second, try to focus on socializing with friends or family, rather than concentrating on the food. Thanksgiving can be a time to be grateful for blessings. Enjoying the company of relatives or friends can be a way to moderate consumption of food and drink.
Bring low-calorie alternatives to dinner as well. With healthier alternative provisions, the more fattening food may not be as tempting. Also, don’t confine to typical “holiday food.” Thanksgiving doesn’t have to mean traditional food. Many people like fresh fruit.
Oksana Matvienko, assistant professor of nutrition at the University of Northern Iowa, said that many fattening foods, such as gravy, salad dressings (which often contain oils) and butter, can be replaced with much healthier seasonings such as pepper and Mrs. Dash, a salt-free substitute for those with high blood pressure. She also said that desserts, such as pie, can always be eaten without the extra whipped cream on top, which adds loads of unwanted calories.
Moderation can also be a big part of staying healthy over the holidays. It’s possible to take smaller portions than normal. Everything can still be tasted by only taking a very small portion of each food. There will always be more food if one decides to come back to try a few different things.
Staying active helps to stay fit over the break as well. Taking a walk can often help food digest a bit. Those who normally take trips to the Wellness and Recreation Center can keep up their workout schedule by going for a short jog or doing some cardio activity.
Junior Allison Muller suggests that “wii Fit” or “My Personal Trainer” video games can be just as effective as sports.
“(Games) can make (you) sweat more than a workout,” she said.
Some consider holiday weight gain or fluctuation to be normal. However, it's important to not refrain from enjoying eating and not engaging in dangerous behaviors like inducing vomiting.
3 comments
How could someone possibly tackle the core American culture in 433 words? Much less, why would they in an article about overeating during holidays?Voluptuous:
Apparently, you didn't read it all the way through. It states at the end to not go to the other extreme and induce vomiting or refrain from eating. And last I checked, being unhealthy and overweight isn't something to be proud of.