Thanksgiving Game Plan

This time of year can be the most challenging. How are you holding up? Don't get discouraged, you can do it and I am here to encourage you. I am assuming that you all survived Halloween by avoiding the candy that your normally over indulge in. Even if you ate some candy, I am sure you showed restraint.



Before you sit down to eat your Thanksgiving meal, there are some things that you need to know. These tips have been adapted from "Have a Guilt-Free Thanksgiving" By: Leslie Fink, MS, RD.



1. You must have a game plan. Thanksgiving is still a few weeks away, so take time now to decide which food you want to eat at your meal.

2. Imagine yourself sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner. Visualize the spread and decide how you'll fill up your plate. Be sure to include your favorite items so that you don't feel deprived and overeat later.

3. Decide how much of a favorite food will satisfy you. If you cannot conceive of eating just a small piece of Aunt Millie's famous pumpkin pie, cut out something else to account for the larger slice.

4. Select once-a-year foods. Choose to eat dishes that are just served on Thanksgiving; avoid those that show up at every meal. After all, do you really want sweet potatoes topped with melted marshmallows plus an ordinary baked spud?

5. Just say no. Practice creative ways to say "no" in case you get pressured by others to take seconds (or thirds).

6. There's always tomorrow. If the meal is at your house, remember that there will be plenty of leftovers. If you won't be able to sleep knowing that there's half a pie in the kitchen, "freeze leftovers immediately or give your guests doggie bags to take home," suggests Walls.

7. Stop when you're full. Push yourself away from the table when you've had enough. If you're not sitting within arm's length of the biscuits, you'll be less likely to overindulge.

8. All foods have benefits. Many Thanksgiving foods are packed with nutrients. For example, pumpkin pie is loaded with vitamin A (important for proper vision) and beta-carotene (a potentially powerful antioxidant). Green bean casserole and stuffing contain lots of folic acid (a B vitamin linked to the prevention of birth defects and, possibly, heart disease).

9. Broaden your focus. Make the holiday about more than just food. Focus on your friends and family and remember what you're thankful for, like wearing a smaller size, more comfortably crossing your legs or feeling more confident about yourself.

Thanksgiving does not have to be as scary as Halloween. Just remember to stick to the plan and forgive yourself of any setbacks that may take place.