Healthy Living
Plate Planning For Thanksgiving Day
Don’t stress out this Thanksgiving. We can help you plan for this food-focused holiday, so you don’t undo your weekly Points budget and weight loss progress.
From the buttered rolls and turkey to the cheesy creamy sides, holiday temptation is everywhere. So, your go-to tactics—like having a healthy and energizing breakfast or chewing gum while cooking—might need a few reinforcements. Some advance planning like a "plate rehearsal", a few Points value calculations, and tapping into your mindfulness mojo might be what you need to feel confident and relaxed as you approach the holidays.
Create a holiday-eating game plan. Write out the foods that you intend to eat, the serving size, and Points for each item. Then even if you don't commit to your "plate plan," you’ll have higher awareness and likely make more mindful selections. But setting a smart strategy is more than listing the foods you intend to eat. Here are a few other tips to add to your playbook:
1. Make a Budget. Consider your Weekly Points allowance and decide how to factor it into your Thanksgiving Day budget, but leave flexibility in for holiday favorites, like grandma’s irresistible pumpkin pie.
2. Be Selective Eat your veggies first (the ones you like!). Determine if you really want those sweet potatoes or whether you’re just scooping out of habit. Be selective, would you prefer a serving of mashed potatoes or stuffing? Or perhaps a half-serving of both? If you're not hosting, call the host for a sneak peek of the menu. Volunteer to bring a plan-friendly dish to share.
3. Don't be a pushover. You may be encouraged to try Aunt Jean's famous stuffing or Cousin Mike's cheesecake. If you've already accounted for it or have room in your budget, enjoy! But if you don't want it because it’s not part of your preplanned plate, politely and confidently decline. If they won’t accept your no, ask to take home a serving for later "when you're not so full." What you do at home is your own decision!
4. Bring a Reminder. If you're concerned about wavering from your plan, take a small item (a picture, a written goal, a Bravo star) that you can keep discreetly to help remind you why you need to make smart choices.
5. Take a post-turkey trot. After eating, excuse yourself from the table because those half-empty serving dishes and bowls can become very enticing the longer you look at them. Invite others to join you for a brisk walk around the neighborhood to catch up with each other and to help digest your filling and delicious meal.
6. Track Honestly. Pre-planning and tracking are some of the best strategies to stay on course because it's easier to make healthy decisions before being tempted by good-smelling food. If you pre-track your holiday meals and then eat more than anticipated—still track it! Accountability (not perfection) is the key.
7. Eliminate the Leftovers. If you're the host, you'll likely have leftovers. Don’t lose sleep knowing that there's half a pie in the kitchen, freeze leftovers immediately or have guests take them home.
Keep in mind that Thanksgiving Day is just one day. Savor the moments with friends and family. Reflect on the important things that matter and know that tomorrow you'll wake up with a clean slate.
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