Portion Control Helps You Avoid Overeating Misery On Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has arrived and if you plan on donning your favorite stretchy pants for some serious binge eating, you may be miserable later. Some may prefer to skip the big meal to help them stay on the path to good health, but that’s certainly no fun.

However, exercising a little portion control while enjoying the tastes of the Thanksgiving season will help you stay on track and let you enjoy the holiday.

Here are a few tips to help you enjoy Turkey day.

• Work out ahead of time: It will help you digest all those calories later.
• Don’t skip breakfast: Heading out the door to meet your family when you are ravenously hungry isn’t a good thing, and will only help you indulge in the unhealthy snacking ahead of the big meal, or lead overeating when the meal is served.
• Use a smaller plate: If you use a smaller plate, the portions will seem larger. Your protein portion (turkey) should be the size of a deck of cards, while your scoop of mashed potatoes or dressing should fit on a tablespoon leaving more room for fresh veggies.
• Don’t drink your calories: Alcohol packs on the pounds without you knowing it, so drink wisely.
• Drink Water: Drink water before your meal to help you feel fuller.
• Dessert is OK: You can have that slice of pie, just not a huge piece loaded with whipped cream.
• Take a walk: If you overdo it, let your meal digest and take a walk to burn some of it off. You’ll feel better.
• Limit the gravy: It tastes wonderful, but you don’t need too much
• Avoid seconds: It sounds blasphemous to say such things at Thanksgiving, but you’ll feel better later.
• Plan your leftovers: You can freeze some of those for later.

(For more news and information like this, subscribe to Patch for free. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)

Image: Shutterstock

Send your news tips and story ideas to bryan.kirk@patch.com