Auburn Hill Senior Living in Midlothian, Virginia

7 Ways To Make Your Thanksgiving Festivities Healthier

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Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year to come together with friends and loved ones and enjoy good food, laughter, and great conversation. It is known for its bounty of foods and many people joke about how “stuffed” they are after a good Thanksgiving meal. 

It can be a difficult time of the year for those trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Many health experts would say to just go ahead and splurge. It’s only one day, after all. However, many people have a hard time getting back on the healthy eating wagon after a splurge and what started as one day can turn into a month (or more!). This is why the Holiday season is notorious for weight gain. Just as you would get yourself back on track, Christmas and the New Year comes around to derail you again. 

Many seniors have underlying health concerns that could become dangerous if certain foods are consumed, so it’s important to have a solid plan of action to keep your choices healthy as we approach Thanksgiving.  

Plan For Success

Rather than completely derailing yourself from your healthy lifestyle, here are seven great ways to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday without the guilt or regret in the form of headaches and stomach aches the next day: 

  1. Eat a healthy, hearty breakfast. Many people choose to skip breakfast on Thanksgiving to save room for everything they want to eat. However, if you arrive at the feast ravenous, you may end up consuming well over what would have satisfied you (and you’ll regret it afterward). You’re also more likely to reach for healthier options if you’re not over-hungry. 
  2. Opt for light, healthy appetizers. Vegetable and fruit trays or cheese platters make a great alternative to starchy, sugar-filled appetizers and can be just as satisfying and delicious. If you’re looking for something more in tune with the season, opt for a healthy, homemade soup like butternut squash soup. 
  3. Load up on color. Fill your plate with a rainbow variety of vegetables. Broccoli, spinach, brussels sprouts, red beets, squash, peppers, radishes and tomatoes can all be prepared to complement a heart Thanksgiving meal. Try roasted them with a bit of olive oil and garlic to give them a satisfying crunch. 
  4. Gobble up that turkey. It’s the feature of nearly every Thanksgiving table, after all. It’s rich in protein and can help you feel fuller faster. 
  5. Modify your recipes. Some recipes cannot be nixed at family gatherings. If you have any such recipes, try to put a new spin on it to make it healthier while still enjoying the pleasure of cooking heirloom recipes. Replace sugar with healthy alternatives like Swerve or Stevia. Replace pasta with zucchini noodles or cauliflower. And if you have no control over the food, just opt to take much smaller portions of the things you know aren’t aligned with your healthy lifestyle. You can completely pass on things like mashed potatoes, corn, or dinner rolls that you can have any other time of the year. 
  6. Go easy on dessert. If possible, make sure there’s a healthy dessert option for yourself. Replace sugar with healthy alternatives. Replace flour crusts with savory almond butter crusts. 
  7. Get moving. Start a new tradition… get outside (weather permitting) and take a stroll through the neighborhood after you’ve finished eating. Or start a pickup game in the backyard to get everyone up and moving. Better yet? Get creative and start a new outdoor activity tradition that will bring joy and make lasting memories.

Don’t Overthink It

Whatever you do, don’t stress. If you have a giant slice of your favorite pumpkin pie, be gentle with yourself and don’t allow it to completely derail you. Enjoy it and enjoy your time with loved ones.

From our entire Auburn Hill team and resident family, we wish you all the warmth, love, and laughter this Holiday season!